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Gc 

974.702 

W4175s 

1851620 

REYNOLDS  HISTORT'CM. 
GENEALOOY  COLLECTION 


5 yyo 


HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE, 

DclfaereB  on  t!ie  iSti)  ct  October,  1877,  at  tfre 

CELEBRATION 

OF  THE 

TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY 

OF  THE 

Reformed  Dutch  Church 

OF  NEW  UTRECHT,  L.  L, 

By  Rev.  David  S.  Sutphen, 

PASTOR  OF  THE  CHURCH  ; 

AND  AN 

HISTORICAL  ADDRESS, 

By  Hon.  Teunis  G,  Bergen. 

t ' WITH  an  afpendix, 

CONTAINING  THE  NAMES  OF  THOSE  WHO  HAVE  SEEN  ELDERS  AND  DEACONS. 

- 

PUBLISHED  UNDER  TIIE  DIRECTION  OF  THE  CONSISTORY, 

FOR  FRIVATK  CIRCULATION. 


1877. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/historicaldiscouOOsutp 


I 


INTRODUCTION. 


THURSDAY,  October  iSth,  1877,  was  the  day  set  apart  for  the  celebration  of  the 
Two  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  of  New  Utreciit.  The  day  was  bright  and  cheerful.  The 
church  had  been  gracefully  decorated  by  the  young  people,  with  fresh  evergreens 
wrought  in  wreaths  and  trained  in  festoons  upon  the  galleries  and  walls.  Flowers 
appeared  among  the  evergreens,  and  greatly  heightened  their  effect.  Numerous 
flags  waved  from  every  part  of  the  auditorium.  The  pulpit,  and  all  the  space  about  it, 
were  radiant  with  rare  hot-house  plants  and  cut  flowers.  Vines  and  flowers  twined 
about  the  chandeliers.  A gilt  dove,  which  formerly  suimounted*  the ' 'sounding- 
board  over  the  pulpit  in  the  first  church,  and  which  has  been  preserved  by  Mr. 
John  Lott,  was  on  the  reading-desk.  Near  it  lay  a Dutch  Bible,  musty  with  the 
mould  of  two  centuries.  Curious  tablets,  indicating  the  hymns  that  were  sung  in 
the  olden  times,  were  suspended  at  either  side  of  the  pulpit.  An  hour-glass, 
wherewith  the  preachers,  in  days  long  gone  by,  regulated  their  discourses,  now  in 
the  possession  of  Mr.  R.  Benson,  and  a black  velvet  pouch  in  which  the  deacons 
took  their  collections,  were  on  the  platform.  A large  number  of  people  from  this 
and  the  adjoining  towns  filled  the  edifice.  Many  clergymen  were  present.  On 
each  side  of  the  pulpit  were  Sabbath-school  banners — one  bearing  the  date  of  1826. 

The  morning  exercises,  at  which  the  pastor  presided,  commenced  at  10.15  A.  M. 
by  a voluntary  on  the  organ  by  Mr.  John  Currie,  the  organist  of  the  church,  and 
the  singing  by  the  whole  congregation  of  the  Long  Metre  Doxology,  “Praise  God, 
from  whom  all  blessings  flow.”  This  was  followed  by  the  reading  of  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments in  Dutch,  by  Hon.  Teunis  G.  Bergen,  from  the  Bible  in  use  in  the 
first  church,  printed  in  1672.  A portion  of  Scripture  was  read  also  from  the  Bible 
first  used  in  the  new  church,  by  Rev.  George  S.  Bishof,  D.  D.,  of  Orange  N.  J. ; 
and  Rev.  William  H.  De  Hart,  of  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  offered  prayer.  The  559th 
hymn,  “I  love  Thy  kingdom,  Lord,”  was  sung;  after  which  the  historical  dis- 
course contained  in' the  following  pages  was  delivered  by  the  pastor.  The  sermon 
was  followed  by  the  924th  hymn,  “Our  God  our  help  in  ages  past,”  which  was 
sung  by  the  whole  congregation,  led  by  the  chorister,  without  the  organ.  After 
the  hymn,  Rev.  C.  L.  Wells  made  an  address.  “ He  presented  the  congratula- 
tions of  the  venerable  church  of  Flatbush,  and  endeavored  to  lead  the  audience  to 
resolve  to  make  some  suitable  memorial  of  the  day,  and  suggested  that  they  who 
had  received  and  inherited  so  many  blessings  through  the  gospel  of  Christ,  might 
with  great  propriety  now  send  that  gospel  to  those  who  are  without  it.”  The  Apos- 
tolic benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  A.  P.  Stockwell,  of  Gravesend. 


INTRODUCTION. 


v 


Rev.  Charles  H.  Pool  said:  “ Child  of  the  Church!”  I feel  proud  of  the 
title.  I feel  prouder  still  to  speak  here.  Memory  has  been  very  busy  with  me  to- 
day, but  no  great  change  is  apparent.  The  church  is  changed.  How  I remember 
the  good  old  pastor  from  whom  I and  my  brother  ran  and  hid  when  he  visited  our 
house,  but  to  whom  I was  glad  to  come,  in  after  years,  for  comfort  and  advice  ! I 
also  remember,  with  glad  emotions,  my  Sunday-school  teacher,  Dr.  Carpenter,  to 
whose  faithful  instruction  I owe  so  much,  and  who  sent  me  on  my  mission  with 
words  of  cheer. 

Rev.  Charles  S.  Wright  was  then  introduced,  and  spoke  eloquently  and 
feelingly.  He  took  sides  with  the  Puritans,  spoken  of  by  Hon.  T.  G.  Bergen,  and 
believed  that  to  them  we  owed  a great  deal,  even  here.  He  said  everything  told  the 
story  to-day.  The  pastor  had  preached  it  powerfully,  all  the  speakers  had  portrayed 
it  eloquently,  the  music  had  given  it  sweetly,  the  flowers  had  told  it  tastefully,  and 
it  remained  but  for  him  to  re-echo  the  same  sentiment. 

Rev.  J.  M.  Van  Burex,  formerly  of  New  Lots,  made  a few  remarks  on  tem- 
perance, alluding  to  the  difference  in  the  social  customs  of  the  old  times  and  new. 

Rev.  A.  R.  Thompson,  D.  D.,  who,  as  President  of  the  South  Classis  of  Long 
Island,  had  conducted  the  exercises  of  the  afternoon  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all 
present,  in  an  eloquent  closing  address,  alluded  to  the  instructions  of  the  past,  and 
spoke  of  the  covenant  faithfulness  of  God,  who  according  to  his  promise  had 
blessed  children  and  children’s  children,  on  this  very  spot,  for  two  hundred  years. 

The  singing  was  conducted  by  the  chorister,  Mr.  Andrew  Hegemax. 

The  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Rogers,  D.  D.,  of  New  York. 

Thus  ended  a day  that  cannot  be  forgotten  by  those  present — a day  when  were 
gathered  up  the  mercies  of  the  days  of  the  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High. 

Among  the  clergymen  present  were  Rev.  O.  E.  Cobb,  Rev.  Charles  I.  Shep- 
herd, Rev.  E.  S.  Fairchild,  Rev.  H.  A.  Friedel,  Rev.  U.  D.  Gulick,  Rev.  Dr. 
E.  P.  Ingersoll,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  M.  Ferris,  Rev.  R.  G.  Strong,  and  Rev.  Daniel 
Rapelye,  Missionary  to  China. 


DISCOURSE. 


In  the  Forty-eighth  Psalm,  twelfth,  thirteenth,  and  fourteenth 
verses,  we  find  these  words  : 

“Walk  about  Zion,  and  go  round  about  her  : tell  the  towers  thereof  Mark  ye  well 
her  bulwarks,  consider  her  palaces  ; that  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  generation  follow- 
ing. For  this  God  is  our  God  forever  and  ever;  He  will  be  our  guide  even 
unto  death.” 

One  of  the  beautiful  and  distinguishing  features  of  God’s  ancient 
people  was  the  love  they  bore  for  Jerusalem.  It  was  their  joy  and 
glory,  the  centre  of  all  the  endearments  of  life.  The  stones  in 
her  streets  were  objects  of  affection,  while  her  gates  and  walls  and 
towers  were  the  themes  of  conversation,  and  the  subjects  of  their 
songs.  Toward  that  loved  place  they  turned  when  they  prayed, 
and  they  breathed  out  their  love  in  the  earnest  supplication, 
“ Peace  be  within  thy  walls,  and  prosperity  within  thy  palaces.” 
Yet  not  all  portions  of  Jerusalem  were  held  of  equal  importance  by 
the  Jew.  One  portion  was  lifted  higher  than  the  rest  in  their  affections. 
It  really  caused  the  whole  city  to  be  beloved.  It  was  Zion. 

Mount  Zion,  technically,  was  the  southernmost  hill,  and  the  highest 
on  which  the  city  was  built,  and  was  both  the  stronghold  and  ornar 
ment  of  Jerusalem.  The  hill  rose  perpendicularly  from  the  valleys  on 
the  west  and  south,  and  was  therefore  naturally  very  strong,  and  art  had 
contributed  to  render  it  stronger.  To  it  the  inhabitants  fled  when  King 
David  came  from  Hebron  to  J erusalem,  and  they  boasted  that  so  long 
as  any  were  left  to  defend  it,  though  they  were  the  lame  and  the  blind, 
no  enemy  could  effect  its  capture.  But  David  conquered  it,  and 
made  it  his  capital.  This  mount,  together  with  Mount  Moriah  and 
Ophel,  David  enclosed  within  his  first  wall ; and  to  this  ancient  portion 
the  term  Zion  was  frequently  applied.  This  contained  the  magnificent 
palaces  of  Solomon,  and  was  strongly  fortified  by  citadels  and  towers. 


8 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


“ Beautiful  for  situation,  the  joy  of  the  whole  earth,  is  Mount  Zion. 
God  is  known  in  her  palaces  for  a refuge.  The  kings  of  the  earth 
were  assembled;  they  passed  by  together.  They  saw  it,  and  so  they 
marvelled  : they  were  troubled,  and  hasted  away.”  Because  this  was 
the  defense  of  Jerusalem,  it  was  the  object  of  the  tenderest  affection 
of  the  J ew. 

But  it  was  not  alone,  or  chiefly,  these  things — her  wealth  or  mag- 
nificence or  impregnability — that  rendered  the  place  so  dear.  It  was 
something  better  than  these.  It  was  because  the  sanctuary,  in  which 
every  Jew  loved  to  worship,  was  there.  The  beautiful  and  holy  tem- 
ple was  reckoned  as  a part  of  Zion.  Hence  it  was  loved  most  of  all  by 
the  Jew ; and  when  endangered,  it  awakened  the  deepest  anxiety  of 
the  nation.  Against  this  temple  and  the  surrounding  walls  and  towers 
frequent  battles  were  waged;  yet  because  of  her  position  and  strength, 
when  the  conflict  ended,  almost  always  Zion  stood  beautiful  in  vic- 
tory. 

It  is  thought  that  the  writer  of  the  Forty-eighth  Psalm  composed 
it  to  celebrate  some  remarkable  victory  or  preservation  vouchsafed  unto 
her  by  the  Lord,  from  her  powerful  assailants.  Some  interpreters 
think  that  it  was  on  the  occasion  of  Jehoshaphat’s  victory  over  the 
children  of  Ammon  and  Moab.  Others  think  that  it  was  a song  of 
thanksgiving  after  the  defeat  and  destruction  of  Sennacherib’s  army, 
who  came  up  against  the  citadel  and  temple,  and,  with  an  host  of 
185,000  men,  besieged  the  city,  and  in  the  morning  were  all  dead 
corpses.  Whichever  view  is  the  correct  one,  whether  preservation  or 
triumph  it  may  have  been,  the  writer  invites  those  who  loved  Zion, 
and  were  employed  in  her  defence,  to  walk  around  her  walls  and  ob- 
serve the  deliverance  that  God  had  wrought  for  them ; to  go  count 
her  towers  and  bulwarks,  and  observe  that  they  were  uninjured ; that 
her  palaces  remained  in  beauty  and  unharmed ; and  he  farther  direct- 
ed them  to  recount  to  generations  following  the  wonderful  instances 
of  God’s  care  and  preservation ; that  Zion  still  retained  her  beauty 
and  glory  and  impregnability,  and  that  amid  her  enemies  she  had 
neither  been  ruined  nor  destroyed. 

But  the  towers  of  that  Zion  have  long  since  been  overthrown,  and 
the  temple,  with  its  unrivalled  splendors,  is  gone , and  her  palaces,  as 
Calvin  says  the  very  words  intimate,  have  crumbled  into  dust.  But 
there  is  a Zion  of  which  this  was  the  type,  still  beloved  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  true  Israel,  whose  towers  are  still  beautiful,  and  whose 
bulwarks  shall  never  be  overthrown.  It  is  the  Church  of  God,  built  on 
the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  of  which  Christ  Jesus  is 


. 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH,  NEIV  UTRECHT,  L.  I. 


9 


the  chief  corner-stone.  Through  the  assaults  of  enemies  and  the 
changes  of  centuries  this  Zion  stands  still  impregnable.  No  other 
place  on  earth  is  so  precious.  No  other  can  awaken  so  many  pre- 
cious memories,  or  inspire  such  joyful  hopes,  as  the  Church  of  Christ. 

If  it  was  a good  thing  for  the  Israelite  to  walk  about  and  observe 
the  beauty  and  defence  of  Zion  in  his  day,  it  is  also  a good  thing  for  us 
and  a thing  calculated  to  promote  our  love,  and  hope,  and  joy,  to  re. 
count  the  trials  and  triumphs,  the  crosses  and  conquests  of  two  hun- 
dred years : to  observe  her  towers  and  bulwarks  guarded  by  Him 
who  neither  slumbers  nor  sleeps ; to  observe  her  precious  ordinances 
as  palaces,  her  glorious  promises  as  bulwarks,  that  we  may  tell  to  the 
generations  following,  the  glory  and  beauty  of  the  Zion  which  God 
has  given  us,  in  order  that  future  generations  may  make  her  God  their 
guide,  may  espouse  her  interests,  and  cleave  unto  them  forever.  I 
find  in  these  words  the  authority  and  the  motive  for  what  we  under- 
take on  this  occasion.  The  same  God  who  was  the  guide  of  the  Psalmist 
and  Israel  in  their  way,  and  whose  omnipotent  hand  was  over  them* 
for  their  protection  and  preservation,  has  been  the  God  and  guide  of 
this  church  from  its  organization  until  now.  And  it  seems  fitting 
that  those  who  compose  the  church  at  this  time  should  review  — as 
well  as  we  can  — the  past,  tracing  the  facts  of  our  history,  and  treasur- 
ing them  as  the  children  of  God  and  this  Church,  as  memorials  of  His 
great  goodness.  We  shall  endeavor,  so  far  as  the  brevity  of  a single 
discourse  will  allow,  to  do  this — to  trace  the  history  and  blessings  and 
encouragements  of  this  Church  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

We  belong  to  that  branch  of  the  Church  of  Christ  which  is  known 
as  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of  North  America.  The  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church  in  Europe  and  America  has  for  more  than 
three  centuries  been  recognized  as  a church  of  pure  faith  and  scrip- 
tural polity.  Pier  history  is  a part  of  the  record  of  the  struggle  of 
man  for  civil  and  religious  freedom;  for  the  conflict  in  the  Nether- 
lands of  the  Church  under  the  Cross  was  for  liberty  of  thought,  and  be- 
lief, and  worship.  Upon  that  long  and  fearful  but  successful  conflict 
we  shall  not  now  speak.  Motley,  in  his  matchless  histories,  recounts 
the  privations  our  fathers  endured,  the  difficulties  they  encountered, 
the  battles  they  won  in  their  contest  with  Charles  . V.  and  his  son  Philip 
II.,  with  an  eloquence  that  is  thrilling,  yet  by  no  means  inappropriate. 
The  historian  tells  us  that  against  the  encroachments  of  Rome  and 
her  persecutions,  our  fathers  tenaciously  maintained — though  at  a 
fearful  cost  of  blood  and  treasure  — their  right  of  freedom  to  worship 
God.  They  held,  and  strove  to  implant  in  every  heart,  the  three 


IO 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


grand  ideas  — First,  that  all  men  are  created  equal.  Second,  that  the 
Bible,  or  Sacred  Scriptures,  is  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 
Third,  that  converts  to  the  faith  are  not  to  be  compelled,  but  to  be 
won. 

Memorable  in  history  is  the  union  of  the  seven  Northern  provinces, 
in  which  evangelical  religion  prevailed,  called  the  Union  of  Utrecht. 
In  the  city  of  that  name  in  Holland,  renowned  for  its  excellent  schools 
and  University,  which  gave  us  Dr.  Livingston,  men  perished  at  the 
stake  rather  than  give  up  their  faith.  And  the  Church  was  noted  for 
the  loyalty  and  love,  the  courage  and  devotion  to  her  doctrines  and 
customs,  of  all  who  embraced  her  ordinances.  As  early  as  1625,  Dutch 
agricultural  settlers  arrived  in  this  country.  They  came  not  like  the  Pil- 
grims, forced  by  religious  persecution  from  home,  but  as  Holland  was 
a mercantile  nation,  many  of  her  inhabitants  came  hither  for  purposes 
of  trade.  They  gave  names  to  their  settlements  similar  to  those  in 
the  old  country.  Those  who  landed  at  New  York  gave  to  the  settle- 
^ment  the  name  of  New  Amsterdam.  Those  who  settled  on  Long 
Island  gave  to  their  settlements  the  names  of  Amersfoort,  Breukelen, 
Midwoud,  New  Utrecht,  Gravesande.  The  towm  of  New  Utrecht  was 
established  as  early  as  1657.  With  their  habits  of  industry  and  order, 
\>ur  fathers  also  brought  their  principles  and  faith ; and  they  introduced 
on  the  shores  of  their  adopted  country  the  same  high  principles  of  re- 
ligious culture  in  which  they  had  so  carefully  been  reared  at  home. 
Our  ancestors  trusted  in  God.  Jehovah  was  acknowledged  and  wor- 
shipped by  them.  As  soon  as  they  had  formed  a settlement  they 
sought  to  organize  a church  and  erect  a building  wherein  they  might 
worship  God. 

At  first  the  inhabitants  of  Long  Island  crossed  over  the  East 
River  and  attended  divine  service  in  New  York,  until  the  year  1654, 
when  Reformed  Dutch  churches  were  organized  on  Long  Island,  at 
Flatbush  and  Flatlands.  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis,  a minister  of  New 
York,  and  a committee,  were  sent  over  to  Midwoud  (Flatbush)  and 
organized  a church,  February  9th,  1654. 

The  first  Dutch  minister  settled  on  Long  Island  was  Rev.  Johan- 
nes Theodorus  Polhemus.  He  had  formerly  labored  as  a missionary 
in  Brazil;  but  arriving  in  this  country  and  manifesting  a ze.ai  in  the 
cause  by  organizing  a church  in  New  Amstel,  Del.,  he  was  author- 
ized by  Governor  Stuyvesant  to  preach  in  Flatbush,  Flatlands,  and 
Brooklyn.  While  he  was  the  pastor  of  the  Kings  County  churches, 
the  first  Dutch  church  on  Long  Island  was  erected,  at  Flatbush. 
It  was  in  the  form  of  a cross,  sixty  feet  long  and  twenty-eight  feet 


. 


' 

. 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH,  NEW  UTRECHT ; Z.  I. 


ii 


wide.  Governor  Stuyvesant,  in  1660,  appointed  Pfbv.  Mr.  Megapolen- 
sis,  John  Snediger  and  John  Stryker,,  as  commissioners  to  build  this 
church,  and  ordered  the  people  to  assist.  It  was  completed  in  the 
following  year.  Those  having  charge  of  the  work  reported  that  the 
building  cost  4,637  guilders,  or  about  1,800  dollars.  This  amount 
was  contributed  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  towns,  and  the  salary  of 
the  minister — $416  per  year — was  raised  by  tax.  In  1656,  the  Gov 
emor  ordered  that  the  minister  should  preach  every  Sabbath  morn- 
ing in  Flatbush,  and  in  the  afternoons  alternately  in  Flatlands  and 
in  Brooklyn.  Dominie  Polhemus  enjoyed  a long  pastorate  of  22 
years.  Fie  died  June  9th,  1676,  deeply  lamented,  and  was  buried  in 
the  Brooklyn  church,  in  front  of  the  baptistery.  The  Consistory  said: 
In  recording  the  death  of  their  worthy  and  beloved  pastor,  they  de- 
plored the  loss  of  his  pious  instructions,  godly  example,  and  edifying 
preaching.  Under  him  a church  was  built  in  Flatlands  in  1662,  and 
in  the  town  of  Brooklyn  in  1666. 

On  February  16th,  1660,  the  Rev.  Henricus  Selyns — one  of  the 
most  prominent  and  devoted  ministers  of  his  day— was  called  as  the 
minister  of  the  church  of  Brooklyn.  On  September  7th,  1660,  he  met 
with  his  church,  and  on  September  12th,  received  a list  of  members 
from  Rev.  Mr.  Polhemus,  containing  thirty-seven  names.  The  first 
services  were  held  in  a barn.  Mr.  Selyns  afterwards  preached  on  Sab- 
bath mornings  in  the  church  of  Brooklyn,  and  at  the  Governor’s  bow- 
erie,  or  farm,  in  the  afternoon.  Few  men  have  exerted  a more  bene- 
ficent and  extensive  influence.  It  is  acknowledged  that  his  eloquence 
was  unsurpassed,  while  his  devotion  to  his  calling  endeared  him  to  all. 
He  was  a poet  as  well  as  preacher.  He  married  his  wife  in  New 
Utrecht.  In  1664,  July  22nd,  he  returned  to  Holland,  from  whence 
he  was  called  to  New  York  in  16S2,  and  was  pastor  until  1700. 

For  several  years  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  New  Utrecht  form- 
ed a part  of  and  worshipped  with  the  congregations  of  Flatbush,  Flat- 
lands,  and  Brooklyn,  and  contributed  proportionably  for  the  support 
of  these  churches.  Previous  to  1677,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev 
Johannes  T.  Polhemus,  and  while  Rev.  Flenricus  Selyns  was  pastor  of 
Brooklyn,  religious  services  were  held  in  New  Utrecht,  in  the  school- 
house,  if  they  had  any ; if  not,  in  a private  building.  The  church 
records  of  collections  show  that  five  public  services  were  held  prior  to 
the  date  of  the  organization  of  the  church. 

The  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  church  of  New  Utrecht  was  or- 
ganized in  the  year  1677.  The  service  was  conducted  by  Rev.  Cas_ 
parus  Van  Zuuren,  who  had  been  installed  five  months  before,  as 


12 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, \ 


pastor  of  the  Dutch  churches  of  Flatbush,  Flatlands,  and  Brooklyn. 
The  church  of  New  Utrecht  was  composed  of  twenty-seven  members, 
whose  names  have  been  preserved ; four  of  whom  were  selected  and 
ordained  to  form  the  first  Consistory. 

The  names  of  the  first  elders  were  Jan  Guysbertsz  and  Myndert 
Korten.  The  names  of  the  first  deacons  were  Arian  Willemtsz  (Ben- 
nett) and  Tan  Hansen  (Van  Noostrand).*  The  names  of  their  succes- 
sors have  been  kept,  and  can  be  given,  as  an  interesting  item  of  history, 
in  an  almost  unbroken  chain,  untill  the  present. 

Thus  our  church  is  an  organized  body  two  hundred  years  old 
this  month,  the  first  election  of  officers  having  occurred  in  October- 
Heaven  smiled  upon  the  effort.  The  labors  of  our  fathers,  begun 
with  faith  in  God  and  earnest  prayers,  God  has  crowned  with  abundant 
success.  The  church  thus  planted  has  grown  and  prospered. 

The  sacrament  of  the  Lord’s  Supper  was  first  administered  in  New 
Utrecht  by  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Zuuren  on  the  23rd  day  of  December,  1677 — 
Flatlands  and  New  Utrecht  communing  together.  On  that  occasion 
he  preached  from  Hebrews  13  :S — “ Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday, 
and  to-day,  and  forever.”  In  the  following  year  the  sacrament  was 
administered  on  the  1 4th  ofjuly,  when  he  preached  from  Romans  12:9; 
and  again  on  the  12th  of  December.  In  1679  it  was  administered 
in  July;  in  1CS0,  in  January,  June,  and  December;  in  1681,  in  July; 
in  1682,  in  January,  June,  and  December;  in  1683, in  June  and  De- 
cember ; in  16S4,  in  June  ; in  1685,  on  April  1 7th — on  which  occasion 
the  services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Peter  Teschenmaker,  minister 
on  Staten  Island. 

This  church  formed  a part  of  the  collegiate  system  of  churches 
known  as  the  Dutch  Churches  of  Kings  County.  From  the  time 
of  the  organization  of  this  church  Mr.  Van  Zuuren’s  charge  consisted  of 
the  congregations  of  Flatbush,  Brooklyn,  Flatlands,  and  New  Utrecht, 
to  whom  he  preached  alternately,  and  who  erected  a parsonage  for  his 
use  at  Flatbush.  Each  congregation  had  a consistory  of  two  elders  and 
two  deacons,  and  the  business  of  the  churches  was  transacted  at 
union  meetings  of  all  the  consistories.  These  were  the  only  Dutch 
churches  on  Long  Island  during  Mr.  Van  Zuuren’s  ministry,  of  whose 
existence  we  have  any  present  authentic  record.  The  Flatbush  church 
records  (the  oldest  on  the  island)  give  during  Mr.  Van  Zuuren’s  min- 
istry the  names  of  the  elders  and  deacons  chosen  in  Flatbush,  Flat- 


* The  writer  would  thank  Hon.  Teunis  G.  Bergen,  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin,  D.  D.,and  H. 
Onperdonk,  Jr.,  for  interesting  items. 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH,  NEW  UTRECHT \ L.  T.  13 

lands,  Brooklyn,  and  New  Utrecht,  from  1677  to  1684.  No  other 
consistories  nor  church  organizations  are  mentioned.  While  the 
church  in  New  York  was  vacant,  Mr.  Van  Zuuren,  by  invitation, 
preached  therein  every  Wednesday.  lie  also  preached  occasionally 
in  the  destitute  church  of  Bergen.  Dominie  Van  Zuuren  labored 
faithfully  and  acceptably  until  the  year  1685.  On  May  6th,  he  preach- 
ed his  farewell  sermon,  from  Numbers  6:  23-27.  On  May  18th,  with 
his  wife  and  child,  he  sailed  for  Holland,  where  he  accepted  a call, 
and  died  in  the  year  1685.  He  was  an  able  man.  He  prepared  his 
sermons  for  the  Sabbath  with  great  care,  while  in  pastoral  work  he 
displayed  the  excellent  qualities  of  energy,  tact,  and  affection.  He 
was  instrumental  in  greatly  advancing  the  interests  of  religion  on 
Long  Island. 

After  the  departure  of  Dominie  Van  Zuuren,  at  a meeting  of  the 
congregations,  held  May  10th,  1685,  it  was  resolvedly  a vote  of  eighty- 
three  in  favor  and  seven  against,  to  apply  to  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam for  another  minister..  In  the  mean  time  Rev.  Henry  Selyns, 
of  New  York,  and  Rev.  Peter  Teschenmaker,  of  Staten  Island,  preach- 
ed occasionally  in  the  churches,  and  administered  the  sacraments. 
About  the  middle  of  June,  1685,  Rev.  Rudolphus  Varick  came  from 
Holland  and  was  installed  as  pastor,  and  preached  in  all  the  churches. 
During  his  pastorship,  as  they  had  been  previous  to  it,  civil  affairs  in 
the  colony  were  in  a bad  and  entangled  condition.  The  temporary 
surrender  by  the  Dutch  to  the  English  greatly  embarrassed  the  Dutch 
churches.  The  frequent  changes  of  Governors  also  wrought  injur}'. 
In  1689,  when  Leisler  usurped  the  office  of  Governor,  and  demand- 
ed that  all  should  recognize  and  submit  to  his  authority,  Dominie 
Varick,  who  was  a very  bold  man,  remained  patient  as  long  as  he 
could;  but  finally,  for  his  high  handed  proceedings,  he  felt  con- 
strained openly  to  denounce  him  as  a usurper.  This  awoke  the 
wrath  of  Leisler,  and  he  was  charged  with  speaking  treasonable 
words,  and  with  being  cognizant  of  a design  to  rescue  the  fort  from 
Leisler.  He  was  dragged  by  a force  of  armed  men  from  his  home 
and  confined  within  the  fort  for  six  months,  and  was  sentenced  by 
La  Noy,  a pretended  judge,  to  pay  a fine  of  ^80,  to  be  deposed 
from  his  ministerial  functions,  and  kept  in  prison  until  the  fine  was 
paid.  ^ 

Rev.  Henricus  Selyns,  of  New  York  — to  whom  probably  more 
than  to  any  other  man  the  church  owed  its  preservation  and  liberty 
during  the  colonial  period — sought  to  secure  his  release.  He  offered 
himself  and  his  property  as  bail.  The  offer  was  refused,  and  he  was 


" : V ' 1 ''A* 5 i'O  ?■'; i.Uid;>  t 

■ 

. 

*4 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


informed  that,  unless  he  discontinued  his  efforts,  he  would  be  impris- 
oned himself.  How  long  Dominie  Varick  remained  in  prison  we  can- 
not tell.  He  was  ultimately  released,  but  his  ill-treatment  hastened 
his  death.  Leisler,  his  persecutor,  not  long  after,  was  deposed  and 
executed.  Dominie  Varick  died,  greatly  lamented,  May  7th,  1695. 

As  the  minister  preached  in  four  churches,  it  follows  that  he  was 
necessarily  absent  from  each  church  many  services  during  a month. 
On  the  Sabbaths  he  was  unable  to  be  present,  services  were  conduct- 
ed by  the  voor-lezer,  or  clerk.  This  person  was  probably  the  village 
schoolmaster.  His  duties  were  to  keep  the  church  clean,  and  ring 
the  bell  three  times  before  the  sermon ; between  the  second  and 
third  ringings  to  read  a chapter  from  the  Bible ; in  the  morning  ser- 
vices, to  read  the  Ten  Commandments  and  the  Twelve  Articles  of 
belief  after  the  third  ringing.  In  the  afternoon  sendee  he  read  a 
short  Psalm.  He  also  led  in  all  the  singing.  When  the  minister 
was  not  present,  he  read  a sermon  from  a book  called  “ House  Hom- 
ilies,” at  the  morning  service,  and  a sermon  on  the  Heidelberg  Cat- 
echism in  the  afternoon.  He  was  also  required,  on  these  Sabbaths, 
to  hear  the  children  recite  the  catechism.  He  provided  water  at 
baptisms,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  grave-yard  sexton. 

In  1695,  Rev.  Wilhelmus  Lupardus  came  over  from  Holland,  and 
became  the  minister  of  the  churches  of  Flatbush,  Brooklyn,  Flatlands, 
and  New  Utrecht,  and  continued  until  his  death,  February,  1702. 
His  family  consisted  of  a wife  and  seven  children.  The  connection 
between  civil  and  ecclesiastical  affairs  appears  to  have  been  very  close 
in  those  days  : the  deacons  of  the  church  were  the  Overseers  of  the 
Poor  in  the  town,  and  the  elders  were  the  Commissioners  of  Educa- 
tion. Some  histories  nyention  the  name  of  Rev.  James  Clark  as  a 
minister  of  the  Kings  County  churches  from  the  year  16S5  to  1695. 
His  name  is  not  found  in  our  records. 

During  Mr.  Lupardus’  ministry  — or  about  the  year  1700  — the 
congregation  erected  a church  edifice.  It  was  a stone  structure  of 
octagonal  form,  with  a roof  running  up  to  a point,  surmounted  by  a 
belfry.  At  first  it  was  without  pews,  the  worshippers  occupying 
chairs.  Afterward  pews  were  erected  in  it.  The  pulpit  was  very  high, 
with  about  room  enough  in  it  for  the  preacher — in  shape  very  much 
like  a tumbler.  Access  to  it  was  gained  by  a winding  stair-case  on 
one  side.  This  building  stood  in  the  old  grave-yard  at  the  other  end 
of  the  village,  and  remained  until  the  year  1828 — a period  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  years.  During  all  this  time  it  was  used  for 
public  worship,  except  a few  years  during  the  struggle  for  Independ- 


■ 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH, \ NEW  UTRECHT, \ L.  I. 


*5 

ence.  During  the  Revolutionary  War  it  was  occupied  by  the  British. 
Peculiar  in  construction  and  prominent  in  position,  its  removal  was 
deeply  regretted.  It  is  said  that  sea  captains  used  it  as  a mark  by 
which  to  steer  their  vessels  into  the  harbor ; and  I doubt  not  many  a 
landsman  found  it  to  be  the  place  where  he  was  directed  in  the  way 
to  the  heavenly  home. 

Shortly  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Lupardus,  about  the  year  1702, 
the  Governor  of  the  colony  was  appealed  to  by  the  elders  of  the 
Kings  County  churches,  for  consent  to  call  Rev.  Bernardus  Freeman, 
a minister  at  Schenectady,  instead  of  applying  to  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam to  send  them  a minister.  Lord  Cornbury  was  at  that  time 
Governor,  and  he  worked  hard  to  establish  the  English  Church,  and 
did  not  allow  the  Dutch  churches  to  send  for  ministers,  except  by 
his  permission.  For  some  reason,  the  Governor  at  first  refused  to 
grant  this  request,  and  this  action  awakened  opposition  from  a part 
of  the  people  in  the  different  towns.  Flatbush  called  a town  meet- 
ing, at  which  those  present  affirmed  that  they  had  the  right  to  call  the 
•minister  of  their  choice ; and  a committee  was  appointed  of  one  from 
each  town,  to  secure  Rev.  Mr.  Freeman  as  their  minister.  Mr.  Free- 
man was  born  at  Gilhuis,  Holland,  and,  like  most  young  men  of  the 
day,  learned  a trade.  Fie  was  a tailor.  He  was  a man  possessed  of 
large  natural  gifts.  He  had  a special  faculty  for  acquiring  the  lan- 
guages. When  the  church  of  Albany  needed  a minister,  it  appears 
that  Mr.  Freeman  was  ordained  by  the  Classis  of  Lingc,  in  Westphalia, 
March  10th,  1700,  and  sailed  for  this  country.  The  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam, however,  had  ordained  Rev.  Johannes  Lydias  for  that  place ; 
and  he  arriving  in  the  country  first,  was  accepted  by  the  church. 
Dominie  Freeman  went  to  Schenectady  and  labored  among  the  Mo- 
hawks. Finally  the  Governor  gave  a license  to  Dominie  Freeman 
to  be  called  to  Long  Island ; but  as  the  conditions  did  not  suit  him 
he  declined. 

In  the  mean  time,  some  of  the  members  of  the  Kings  County 
churches  had  made  application  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  send 
them  a minister.  The  Classis  did  so.  They  sent  Rev.  Vinccntius 
Antonides,  who  arrived  in  the  country  at  the  beginning  of  the  year 
1705,  and  was  received  and  acknowledged  by  a portion  of  the  con- 
sistories. Rev.  Mr.  Freeman  then  claimed  the  position,  by  the  civil 
license.  This  was  the  commencement  of  a long  and  bitter  strife. 
Party  spirit  ran  high,  and  sad  acts  of  violence  were  committed.  * In 
consequence  of  this  preliminary  trouble,  Dominie  Freeman  did  not 
arrive  until  1705,  when  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Dutch  churches 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


16 


of  Kings  County.  In  the  call  to  Mr.  Freeman,  we  find  the  name 
of  the  church  of  Bushwick  included  with  the  churches  of  Flatbush, 
Flatlands,  Brooklyn,  and  New  Utrecht,  for  the  first  time.  Rev.  Mr. 
Freeman  was  installed  in  November,  1705.  The  installation  service 
took  place  in  the  church  at  New  Utrecht,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bois 
of  New  York  preached  the  sermon.  The  difficulties  continued. 
For  twelve  years  the  cause  of  religion  suffered,  and  the  congregations 
were  perturbed  by  this  distracting  controversy. 

Finally,  the  unhappy  differences  were  healed.  In  17 14,  a reconcil- 
iation took  place,  through  mutual  concessions.  Delegates  from  Flat- 
bush,  Brooklyn,  Flatlands,  New  Utrecht,  Bushwick  and  Jamaica 
were  present.  They  unanimously  agreed  to  receive  both  Dominie 
Freeman  and  Antonides  as  their  pastors.  Both  were  to  receive  the 
same  salary — ^107  per  year — to  be  furnished  with  suitable  parson- 
ages and  sufficient  firewood,  and  a lot  of  ground  for  pasture.  Thus 
this  unhappy  strife  resulted  in  the  settlement  of  two  ministers 
over  the  churches  in  Kings  County,  whose  united  services,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  territorial  extent  of  the  charge  and  the  growth  of  pop- 
ulation, were  needed.  Both  of  these  ministers  enjoyed  long  pastor- 
ships. Dominie  Freeman  was  a man  of  extensive  learning  and 
acquirements.  He  published,  in  r 721,  a volume  of  sermons  in  the 
Dutch  language,  entitled  “The  Ballances  of  God’s  Grace.”  The 
copy  of  this  work  in  the  Sage  Library  has  a portrait  in  it.  He  also 
published  a volume  of  moral  precepts,  translated  from  some  of  the 
ancient  philosophers,  with  the  title  “The  Mirror  of  Self-knowledge.” 
He  was  declared  Emeritus  in  1741,  and  died  two  years  later,  in 
1743- 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Freeman  was  Rev.  Johannes  Arondeus, 
who  was  the  colleague  of  Mr.  Antonides  about  two  years,  or  until 
July,  18th,  1741,  when  the  latter  died,  full  of  years  and  honor,  in  his 
seventy-eighth  year.  A paper  of  his  day,  The  New  York  Weekly  Post 
Boy , says  : “ He  was  a man  of  extensive  learning,  of  an  easy,  conde- 
scending behaviour  and  conversation,  and  of  a regular,  exemplary 
piety,  endeavouring  to  practice  himself  what  he  preached  to  others ; 
was  kind,  benevolent  and  charitable  to  all,  according  to  his  ability; 
meek,  humble,  patriotic,  and  resigned  under  all  his  afflictions,  losses, 
calamities  and  misfortunes,  which  befell  him  in  his  own  person  and 
family,  and  which  were  not  a few ; and  after  a lingering  disease,  full 
of  «hopes  of  a blessed  immortality,  departed  this  life,  to  the  great  and 
irreparable  loss  of  his  relations  and  friends,  and  to  the  great  grief  of 
his  congergation.”  He  left  many  descendants,  some  of  whom  reside 
within  the  county. 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH, , HEW  UTRECHT \ D I. 


*7 


Mr.  Antonides  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Ulpianus  Van  Sinderin. 
The  latter  came  over  from  Holland  in  the  year  1746.  Immediately 
on  his  arrival  and  installation  a difficulty  arose  between  the  pastors. 
Dominie  Arondeus  took  offence  because  Dominie  Van  Sinderin  per- 
formed a marriage  service  shortly  after  his  arrival. 

At  this  period,  the  whole  Dutch  Church  in  America  was  rent  by 
the  unhappy  controversy  known  as  “ The  Coetus  and  the  Confcr- 
entke,”  The  Conferentice  party  adhered  to  past  usage,  and  insisted 
that  the  work  of  educating  and  ordaining  ministers  and  doing  church 
work  belonged  to  the  mother  country.  The  Ccctus  designated  the 
party  who  wished  to  educate  and  ordain  ministers  and  do  church 
work  in  this  country.  The  whole  Dutch  Church  was  agitated  by  the 
discussion,  and  the  churches  of  this  county  suffered  in  no  small  de- 
gree. Congregations,  and  even  families,  were  sadly  divided.  Mr. 
Arondeus  was,  according  to  some  records,  a troublesome  man.  In 
the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  records,  he  is  referred  to  in  an  unenviable 
manner ; and  so  long  as  he  remained,  the  churches  were  involved  in 
difficulties.  The  grave  charges  of  drunkenness  and  other  crimes 
were  made  against  him,  and  he  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Coetus, 
a Classis  in  this  country.  He  declined,  and  replied  that  he  refused 
to  acknowledge  that  body;  but  he  ’syould  be  willing  to  communicate 
with  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  Sides  were  taken.  Each  party  had 
adherents.  The  ministers  went  so  far  as  to  declaim  against  each 
other  from  the  pulpit.  In  September,  1750,  after  a trial,  the  Coetus 
deposed  Mr.  Arondeus,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam. This  action  was  confirmed  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  in 
January  (12th)  of  the  following  year.  This  declared  that  Dominie 
Van  Sinderin  was  the  only  lawful  minister  of  Kings  County.  Into 
the  merits  of  that  controversy  we  will  not  enter;  happily  the  conflict 
has  long  since  passed  away.  The  feeling,  however,  existed  for  several 
generations. 

A short  time  after  the  deposition  of  Dominie  Arondeus,  a call 
was  made  upon  Rev..  Anthonius  Curtenius,  who  had  been  settled 
over  the  Dutch  churches  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenburgh,  since 
November,  1730.  He  accepted  the  call,  and  was  installed  over  the 
five  churches  in  May  (2nd),  1755.  His  ministry  terminated  in  one 
year  and  five  months.  He  died,  after  a brief  illness,  Oct.  19th,  1756, 
in  the  59th  year  of  his  age.  Notwithstanding  the  brevity  of  his  la- 
bors, he  had  made  a good  impression  on  the  Long  Island  churches. 
His  efforts  were  directed  to  the  healing  of  the  differences  among  the 
people,  and  removing  the  bitterness  which  the  controversy  between 
2 


i-  ‘ - i > >,  • . '■  ' h:  ' > q 

. 

: 

<~'l  *‘r  bltJtb  ovfl 


i3 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


the  Ccetus  and  Conferentiae  parties  had  caused.  The  following  sen- 
tences are  from  a Eulogy  printed  about  the  time  of  his  death : 

Concerning  the  blessed  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Antonius  Cur- 
tenius,  in  his  life  the  faithful  pastor  of  the  five  united  congregations 
of  the  Netherland  Reformed  churches  of  Kings  County,  who  on  the 
19th  of  October,  at  his  residence  in  Midwout,  rested  in  the  Lord. 
Iiis  peaceable  nature  and  inclination  was  known  and  seen,  and  it  was 
a subject  of  no  doubt  that  he  trusted  reverently,  with  abiding  faith,  in 
the  promises  of  the  Saviour.  How  earnest  he  was!  His  sorrowful 
members  must  have  been  touched  with  his  efforts  for  peace,  which  he 
often  insisted  on,  and  his  offers  of  friendship  made  without  success. 
* # # # * it  is  thus  evident  that  his  Reverence,  during  his 

residence  in  these  parts,  and  during  the  26  years  in  his  previous 
position,  stood  as  a peaceable  and  peace-making  pastor,  of  blameless 
behavior.  * * * He  maintained  his  tranquillity  to  the  last;  and, 

in  peace  with  God  and  all  mankind,  after  a sickness  of  about  30  days, 
he  found  a quiet  death,  exclaiming  with  his  parting  breath,  “ O death, 
where  is  thy  sting  ?”  This  caused  uncommon  sorrow  to  his  beloved 
congregations,  his  friends,  but  most  of  all  to  his  afflicted  family, 
whose  sole  comfort  was  his  glorious  departure  and  happy  death. 

He  was  buried  under  the  church  in  the  village  of  Flatlands.  He 
belonged  to  the  Confcrentite  party,  and  was  greatly  grieved  at  the 
treatment  he  received  from  the  Ccetus  party.  His  death,  however, 
was  greatly  lamented  by  all,  who  recognized  that  in  his  decease  they 
• had  sustained  the  loss  of  an  estimable  shepherd  and  a devoted  Chris- 
tian. 

In  August,  1757,  Rev.  Johannes  Casparus  Rubel  was  called  to 
be  the  pastor  of  the  Kings  County  churches,  and  was  the  colleague  of 
Dominie  Van  Sinderin  until  1784,  or  until  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War. 

Mr.  Van  Sinderin  was  a Whig.  . He  was  an  earnest,  active 
preacher.  In  the  pulpit  he  made  many  gestures.  He  became  very 
animated  during  the  delivery  of  his  discourses,  so  much  so  as  to  for- 
get the  limited  space  the  pulpit  allowed  him.  On  one  occasion,  it  is 
said,  being  more  animated  than  usual,  he  leaned  a little  too  far  over 
the  pulpit,  and  fell  out.  The  story  is  that  one  of  the  deacons  caught 
him  in  his  arms  and  said,  “ Dominie,  I have  long  expected  you  !” 

Although  an  eccentric  man,  he  was  an  earnest  and  practical 
preacher,  and,  by  the  use  of  illustrations,  served  to  make  the  truth  so 
plain  that  all  could  understand.  In  1784  he  was  declared  Emeritus, 
and  a small  salary  was  paid  him  until  his  death.  He  died  on  his  farm, 
October  1st,  1803,  and  was  buried  in  the  village  of  Flatlands.  Re- 
cently a handsome  stone  has  been  erected  over  his  grave  by  his  de- 


■ 


; mi.  'r.' . -v 


. 


■ 

• • • - 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH,  HEW  UTRECHT \ L.  I.  Zg 

scendants.  It  took  the  place  of  an  old  one,  interesting  because  of  the 
following  Dutch  inscription : “ Hier  legt  het  ligciiaem  van  den 

WELEER  WAERDE  HEER,  ULPIANUS  VAN  SlNDERIN,  IN  SYN  LEEVEN 

Predicant  in  Kings  County.  Overleeden  den  23  Julii,  1796, 

OUD  ZYNDE  88,  JAAREN  7,  MOANDEN  12  DAEGEN.”  His  SOU  was  the 

founder  and  first  President  of  the  Long  Island  Bible  Society. 

The  number  of  public  weekly  services  held  in  the  churches  before 
the  Revolution  \vas  greater  than  at  present.  The  observance  of  Fast 
days  and  the  holidays — Easter,  Whitsunday,  and  Christmas — was  par- 
ticularly attended  to.  The  Call  to  Dominie  Rubel,  among  other  duties, 
required  him  to  preach  twice  on  each  Lord’s  day,  and  also  on  every 
Fast  or  Thanksgiving  day,  and  on  the  usual  Holy  days,  Christmas, 
Easter,  and  Whitsunday,  and  once  upon  the  day  following ; likewise  upon 
New  Year’s  and  Ascension  day.  Also  a Preparation  Sermon  is  to  be 
delivered  at  the  places  where  the  Lord’s  Supper  is  next  Sabbath  to  be 
administered,  which  is  to  be  dispensed  four  times  a year,  together 
with  pastoral  visitation,  admission  of  members,  and  catechising  the 
children. 

Dominie  Rubel  was  not  successful  in  his  work  among  the  Ger- 
mans, with  whom  he  labored  at  Rhinebeck  and  Red  Hook,  before  he 
came  to  Kings  County.  He  was  styled  by  the  German  Coetus, 
in  1755,  “the  rebellious  Rubel,’’  and  requested  to  resign  his  charge. 
It  is  evident  that  his  conduct  was  unchanged  after  he  came  to  the 
island,  and  became  pastor  of  the  churches  of  Kings  County.  He 
was  a man  of  good  talents,  but  his  life  and  preaching  were  lacking  in 
spiritual  power.  During  the  close  of  his  pastorate,  the  war  for  Free- 
dom began.  Dominie  Rubel  openly  espoused  the  cause  of  England 
against  the  Patriots,  and  by  his  sermons  from  the  pulpit  and  in  his 
conversation  among  the  people,  he  denounced  in  the  severest  terms 
all  who  took  up  arms  for  Independence.  On  one  of  the  Fast  days 
appointed  by  Congress,  Dominie  Rubel  preached  at  Flatbush,  and 
took  as  his  text,  “ Honor  the  king and  said,  in  his  discourse,  that 
people  could  live  as  well  without  a head  as  without  a king.  He  went 
so  far  as  to  call  the  soldiers  of  our  army  “the  devil’s  troops.”  A num- 
ber of  families  sympathized  with  his  sentiments,  but  a large  majority 
of  the  people  were  Patriots.  His  conduct  and  disloyal  sentiments 
awakened  opposition.  Unfortunately,  this  disloyalty  was  not  his  only 
sin.  On  account  of  drunkenness  and  the  ill-treatment  of  his  wife, 
he  was,  in  May,  1784,  deposed  from  the  ministry.  He  died  in  May, 
1797,  and  was  buried  in  Flatbush. 

Shortly  after  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  on  the 


' 


: : . ; ■ v‘ 

•0"r' 

• ■ ...  v ; . . : ' : ' ,,  . ' . . ’ vd  n<  -vc 

. 


20 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


22nd  day  of  August,  177 6,  the  British  troops  took  possession  of  this 
portion  of  the  island.  They  landed  at  Bath,  near  the  foot  of  the 
street  on  which  the  present  church  edihce  stands.  The  battle  of 
Long  Island  was  fought  five  days  later,  August  27th.  At  the  ap- 
proach of  the  enemy  many  of  the  families  left  their  homes.  Most 
of  them,  however,  returned  again  ; but  public  religious  services  in  this 
town  were  sadly  interrupted  during  the  war.  Some  families  attended 
church  at  Flatbush.  As  evidence  of  this  we  have  a Pass  given  by 
the  British  to  allow  one  of  our  families  on  Sabbath  to  go  through 
their  lines. 

The  church  building  was  used  at  various  times  by  the  British,  for 
the  different  purposes  of  hospital  and  riding  school.  At  the  close  of 
the  war,  in  1783,  it  underwent  considerable  repairs,  at  a cost  of  five 
hundred  pounds  (Continental  money),  and  was  devoted  again  to  its 
original  purpose  for  forty-three  years.  , 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1784,  on  the  5th  of  October,  the  six 
Reformed  Dutch  churches  made  a call  upon  Rev.  Martinius  Schoon- 
maker,  of  Gravesend  and  Harlem.  They  gave  him  a salary  of  ^150 
a year,  of  which  New  Utrecht  furnished  ^24,  as  her  share  of  the 
salary  and  expenses.  The  work  of  Mr.  Schoonmaker  was  greatly 
blessed.  By  his  indefatigable  labors,  and  sympathetic  and  kind 
manner  among  his  people,  he  was,  under  God’s  blessing,  enabled  to 
restore  the  shattered  congregations  to  unity ; while  his  devoted  life 
and  earnest,  spiritual  preaching  was  instrumental  in  largely  increasing 
the  numbers  and  efficiency  of  the  members  of  the  churches.  He  ap- 
pears to  have  been  a man  raised  up  by  God  for  the  time,  and  the  needs 
of  the  Long  Island  churches,  at  that  interesting  yet  critical  juncture 
of  their  history.  At  his  death,  the  churches  were  left  strong  and 
vigorous,  and  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  His  memory  is 
still  precious  among  the  older  members  of  these  congregations. 

Rev.  Martinus  Schoonmaker  was  born  at  Rochester,  Ulster  County, 
in  1737.  He  studied  the  classics  under  Goetschius,  from  1753-6,  and 
theology  under  Marinus.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1765,  and 
was  settled  in  Gravesend  and  Harlem  from  1765  to  1783,  when  he 
became  the  pastor  of  the  Kings  County  churches. 

During  the  Revolution  he  was  an  ardent  Whig.  So  highly  was 
he  esteemed,  that  the  Congress  in  session  at  Harlem,  on  his  word  and 
Statement,  released  a suspected  Tory  from  arrest.  Yet  while  his  loy- 
alty made  him  beloved  by  the  patriots,  he  was  dreaded  by  the 
British,  who  sought  to  effect  his  capture.  One  Sabbath,  while  he  was 
pastor  of  Harlem  and  Gravesend,  he  preached  in  the  morning  in 


' 

. 

. 

■ 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH,  NEW  UTRECHT \ L.  I. 


21 


Brooklyn.  After  service  he  was  quietly  informed  of  a plot  of  the 
British  to  arrest  him  as  a spy,  because  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
conveying  letters  from  Harlem  to  the  brethren  on  Long  Island.  He 
used  to  sew  them  in  his  shirt,  and  on  Saturday  evening  he  ripped  them 
loose,  and  after  service  on  the  Sabbath  quietly  handed  them  to  an  elder 
to  distribute.  The  British  had  discovered  this,  and  determined  to 
take  him.  No  time  was  to  be  lost.  The  Consistory  dispatched  sev- 
eral messengers  on  different  errands — one  to  the  Narrows,  to  have  a 
boat  in  readiness — -another  to  a relative,  Mr.  Williamson,  of  Flatbush, 
for  aid.  The  eider,  Mr.  Rapelje  of  Quipplebush,  with  whom  he 
staid,  sent  him  on  horseback,  with  his  colored  servant  as  a faithful 
guide,  to  a designated  point  on  the  road  between  Flatbush  and  New 
Utrecht.  There  he  was  met  by.  Mr.  Williamson  with  a conveyance, 
who  drove  him  rapidly  to  the  Narrows.  Nor  were  they  a moment  too 
soon ; for  so  closely  did  the  Red-coats  pursue,  that  when  the  Dom- 
inie hastened  on  board,  and  the  boat  as  quickly  as  possible  was  swung 
out  into  the  deep  water,  the  bullets  of  the  enemy  whistled  through  the 
sails.  He  was  taken  safely  over  to  Harlem.  Hue  American  troops  at 
that  time  occupied  Harlem  Heights.  Afterwards  he  went  up  the 
river  to  Rochester,  Ulster  County,  where  he  remained  for  a long 
time. 

During  his  ministry,  and  that  of  his  colleague,  the  change  of 
language  from  Dutch  to  English  took  place.  This  change  was  ren- 
dered necessary  by  the  desire  of  the  young  people,  who  were  taught 
English  at  school.  It  is  said  that  Dominie  Schoonmaker  once  at- 
tempted to  preach  in  English,  but  owing  to  his  want  of  success  he 
never  repeated  the  experiment.  Toward  the  close  of  his  life,  when 
he  preached,  he  read  the  hymms  in  English.  He  possessed  a vigor- 
ous constitution.  In  his  8oth  year,  he  said  he  could  not  complain  of 
a single  bodily  infirmity;  even  his  sight  was  perfect.  He  continued 
to  preach  in  all  the  Dutch  churches  in  the  county  until  the  year  1824, 
when,  on  May  24th,  he  died,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year.  “ He  was  a 
person  of  reserved  and  retiring  habits,  yet  so  courteous  and  polite  that 
he  won  his  way  to  the  hearts  of  all.  He  was  a good  representative 
of  the  clergyman  of  the  old  school.”  He  took  an  active  part  in  ec- 
clesiastical affairs,  his  name  being  frequently  mentioned  as  a delegate 
to  the  General  Synod.  His  labors  were  great  and  blessed.  He 
came  to  his  grave  with  a character  unblemished.  Few  men  have 
been  more  widely  respected  and  beloved.  He  and  his  colleague 
were  buried  in  Flatbush. 

His  colleague  was  Rev.  Petrus  Lowe.  In  1787,  a call  was  ex- 


. 

. 

. 

■ . 

• . . ' ■ 

. 


22 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


tended  by  the  six  congregations  of  Kings  County  to  the  licentiate, 
Petrus  Lowe.  It  was  laid  before  the  Synod,  and  Mr.  Lowe,  having 
passed  a satisfactory  examination,  was  licensed  to  preach.  His  call 
having  been  approved,  he  was  installed  October  27th,  1787.  His 
ordination  took  place  in  New  Utrecht  church,  Saturday  morning,  and 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  Schoonmaker.  His  installa- 
tion took  place  in  Flatbush  the  next  day. 

Rev.  Mr.  Lowe  was  born  at  Kingston,  N.  Y.  From  his  early  years 
he  was  remarkable  for  his  piety.  An  old  barn  in  Kingston  has  always 
been  associated  with  Mr.  Lowe,  as  the  place  where,  when  a lad,  he 
frequently  went  to  pray.  He  studied  under  Dr.  Livingston.  Rev.  Mr. 
Van  Pelt  says  of  him : “ Fie  was  social  in  his  disposition,  pleasant  and 
friendly  in  his  looks,  agreeable  and  entertaining  in  conversation,  having 
the  happy  faculty  of  mingling  gracefully  pious  reflections  therewith. 
Fie  was  modest  and  unassuming,  ever  seeking  to  be  more  alienated 
from  the  world,  and  more  fully  conformed  to  Jesus.  Hence,  by  those 
unacquainted  with  him,  his  real  powers  were  not  at  first  appreciated. 
H e was  a man  of  industrious  habits,  and  of  a candid  and  liberal  spirit. 
He  labored  with  fidelity  and  zeal,  speaking  to  the  heart  and  con- 
science.” 

Mr.  Lowe  had  learned  the  art  of  book-making,  which  he  turned  to 
a good  account  by  gathering  up  and  binding  in  a volume  all  the  rec- 
ords of  the  church  that  could  be  found.  He  erected  two  dwellings  in 
succession  m Flatbush,  and  ornamented  them  with  trees  and  flowers- 
His  garden  was  the  place  of  meditation ; and  while  walking  therein  he 
prepared  many  ol  his  sermons.  One  of  his  discourses  has  been  print- 
1 ed.  On  the  icth  of  April,  1792,  we  find  the  following  action.  The 
service  being  held  in  New  Utrecht  once  in  six  weeks,  it  was  resolved,  in 
United  Consistory.  That  the  service  in  the  afternoon  in  Brooklyn,  Flat- 
bush and  New  Utrecht,  should  be  in  the  English  language,  on  the  days 
when  Dominie  Lowe  should  preach.  From  Mr.  Lowe’s  labors  it  is 
apparent  that  he  was  a diligent  minister,  of  a social  disposition,  and  an 
example  to  his  people  of  humility  and  Christian  affection.  He  died 
of  cancer,  June  10th,  1S18. 

During  the  ministry  of  Dominies  Schoonmaker  and  Lowe,  John 
Van  Kirk  Van  Nuyse  was  chorister.  His  successors  in  the  office  have 
been  Thomas  Hegeman,  Benjamin  Larzelere,  Mr.  Ralph,  Peter  Roguet, 
and  Andrew  Hegeman,  who  is  our  present  chorister,  and  has  held  the 
office  since  1848. 

I wish,  at  this  point,  to  recall  to  mind,  in  order  that  they  may  not 
be  forgotten,  a few  of  the  ancient  customs  which  have  become  obso- 


. 

. 


' 

' 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH, \ NEV/  UTRECHT,  L.  7. 


23 


lete.  In  the  old  church,  the  number  of  the  first  psalm  was  set  with 
movable  figures  suspended  at  the  sides  of  the  pulpit.  These  the  clerk 
properly  arranged  before  service,  so  that  every  one  might  readily  pre- 
pare to  sing.  It  was  also  the  clerk’s  duty  to  have  an  hour-glass  prop- 
erly placed  near  the  minister  at  the  commencement  of  the  sermon,  and 
as  the  last  grains  of  sand  left  the  upper  for  the  lower  cavity,  it  was  a 
reminder  that  the  time  had  arrived  for  the  conclusion.  Some  preachers, 
however,  quietly  allowed  the  sand  to  run  out,  and  then  informed 
their  audience,  that  as  they  had  sat  so  patiently  through  the  one,  they 
would  proceed  with  a second.  The  collections  during  the  service  were 
taken  in  velvet  bags  attached  to  the  end  of  long  poles,  with  a small 
alarm  bell  fastened  to  the  end.  The  best  explanation  I have  heard 
of  the  use  of  the  latter,  is  that  it  indicated  when  contributions  were 
made.  When  a coin  was  given  the  bell  rang  ; if  it  passed  through  a 
pew  silently  it  showed  that  nothing  had  been  contributed  by  the  per- 
sons in  that  pew.  It  required  experienced  dexterity  to  handle  them 
well,  to  avoid  the  pillars  and  the  bonnets.  Previous  to  1.S02  there  were 
no  stoves  in  the  churches.  The  ladies  were  accustomed  to  bring  their 
footstoves,  and  to  replenish  them  at  a house  near  by.  In  simplicity  of 
manner  and  in  want  of  many  blessings  we  enjoy,  our  fathers  wor- 
shipped God,  and  truly  found  Him,  as  they  waited  in  His  courts. 

In  those  days,  when  the  ladies  went  out  to  spend  the  day  or  to 
make  an  afternoon  visit  at  the  parsonage,  they  carried  their  spinning 
wheels  and  flax  with  them.  Among  the  old  social  customs  was  one 
to  furnish  the  persons  invited  to  funerals,  with  tobacco,  pipes,  and 
liquor— a custom  which  was  sadly  abused.  This  was  happily  aban- 
doned about  forty  years  ago.  Funeral  sermons  do  not  appear  to 
have-  been  usual  in  our  church  in  olden  times. 

About  the  year  180S,  in  consequence  of  the  increase  of  population 
in  the  various  towns,  and  the  increasing  need  of  a separate  pastor  in 
each  town,  the  combination  of  churches  which  until  then  had  existed, 
was  in  form  dissolved,  although  in  some  practical  features  it  contin- 
ued a few  years  longer.  Dominie  Schoonmaker  continued  to  preach 
in  the  different  churches  as  long  as  he  was  able.  In  1802,  the 
church  of  Brooklyn  called  Rev.  J ohn  B.  J ohnson  of  Albany.  Rev. 
Mr.  Schoonmaker  took  part  in  the  installation  service.  In  i8a3, 
Rev.  Peter  Lowe  became  the  pastor  of  the  united  congregations  of 
Flatbush  and  Flatlands,  whom  he  served  until  his  death. 

In  July,  i8o},  a call  was  made  by  the  church  of  New  Utrecht  on 
Rev.  John  Beattie,  D.D.  The  call  was  accepted,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year  he  was  installed.  Dr.  Beattie  was  a native  of  Salem,  Wash- 


' 

. 

. 


24 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


ington  Co.,  N.  Y.  He  had  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  under 
Dr.  Proudfit’s  ministry.  He  received  his  preparation  for  college  at 
Kinderhook,  and  graduated  at  Union  College,  at  Schenectady.  He 
studied  theology  under  Dr.  Livingston,  and  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  Gospel  in  1809.  He  labored  for  a time  as  a missionary  in  the  west- 
ern portion  of  this  State  and  Canada,  until  he  received  the  invitation 
of  this  church  to  settle  as  their  minister,  where  he  remained  twenty- 
four  years. 

After  the  dissolution  of  the  union  of  the  churches,  each  church 
carried  on  its  separate  work  with  greater  vigor  and  blessing  than  be- 
fore. The  church  of  New  Utrecht  was  not  an  exception.  The  at- 
tendance upon  the  services  increased,  and  many  were  added  to  its 
membership  “of  such  as  shall  be  saved.” 

In  1825,  John  Carpenter,  M.D.,  organized  the  first  Sabbath-school 
in  the  town,  in  the  village  of  Fort  Hamilton,  which  held  its  sessions 
in  a barn.  He  was  the  founder  of  Sabbath-schools  in  New  Utrecht. 
Owing  to  the  removal  of  Dr.  Carpenter  from  Fort  Hamilton,  this 
school  was  for  a season  discontinued.  It  was  subsequently  revived 
by  Moses  Allen,  of  New  York,  and  still  continues.  While  under 
Mr.  Allen’s  charge,  the  Fort  Hamilton  and  New  Utrecht  village 
schoolsjoinedthe  Sabbath-schools  of  New  York  City  in  their  anniver- 
sary. At  one  of  them,  held  in  the  old  Castle  Garden  about  fifty-one 
years  ago,  this  school,  on  the  roll  of  the  S.  S.  Union,  numbered  63. 
Mr.  Allen’s  successors  have  been  Mr.  Horton,  Mrs.  Sarah  Berrier, 
Mrs.  Albert  Van  Brunt,  Christopher  Prince,  M.D.,and  J.  Remsen  Ben- 
nett, who  is  the  present  Superintendent.  The  Assistant  Superinten- 
dent is  Mrs.  Wm.  J.  Cropsey. 

In  1826,  Dr.  Carpenter,  having  removed  to  New  Utrecht  village, 
organized  the  New  Utrecht  Sabbath-school  in  the  old  church.  This 
school  continues  to  this  day.  Of  this  he  was  Superintendent  until 
his  death.  His  successors  were  James  Beekman,  for  a short  time — 
Charles  Lott,  who  was  Superintendent  about  16  years,  or  until  his 
death — Thomas  M.  Hegeman,and  Andrew  Hegeman,  who  is  the  pres- 
ent Superintendent.  The  Assistant  Superintendent  is  Simon  W.  Du 
Bois.  An  infant  class  was  organized  in  connection  with  this  school 
in  1869,  by  Henry  Holt.  In  1827,  Garret  I.  Cowenhoven  organized 
a Sabbath-school  in  Cowenhoven’s  lane,  which,  after  flourishing  a 
number  of  years,  was  discontinued.  Fifteen  years  ago,  the  present 
school  at  Edgewood  was  organized  by  Mr.  John  McKay,  who  con- 
tinues its  Superintendent.  The  Assistant  Superintendent  is  Mr.  James 
C.  Lott. 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH,  NEW  UTRECHT,  L.  /.  2$ 

For  a few  years  the  church  increased  in  numbers  and  power.  Mr. 
Beattie  was  a man  of  industrious  habits,  and  a good  preacher.  His 
manuscript  sermons  show  that  he  was  a man  of  good  natural  ability. 
But  it  appears  he  was  indiscreet  in  manner,  and,  by  attempting  to  man- 
age the  temporalities  of  the  church,  and  by  the  introduction  of  poli- 
tics in  his  discourses,  he  awakened  opposition.  Difficulties  followed. 
They  were  increased  by  his  determined  pressure  of  the  project  to  build 
a new  church  edifice.  The  walls  of  the  old  church  were  cracked,  and 
by  some  they  were  regarded  as  unsafe  and  likely  to  fall.  A part  of 
the  people  favored  the  determination  to  build.  But  so  great  was  the 
veneration  for  the  old  edifice  that  a large  number  opposed  its  demo- 
lition and  were  in  favor  of  its  repair. 

The  congregation  became  sadly  divided.  In  1828  the  work  of 
demolition  began,  and  the  stones  in  the  old  building  were  used  in  the 
construction  of  the  new  one.  The  site  immediately  in  front  of  the  old 
academy  was  finally  selected.  But  grave  difficulties  arose  to  impede 
the  progress  of  the  work.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  great,  and 
not  all  of  the  people  favored  it.  Many  contributed  to  their  utmost, 
and  some  even  beyond  their  ability,  to  secure  its  completion.  Eight 
or  ten  persons  subscribed  five  hundred  dollars  each.  Then  during 
the  process  of  its  erection  a violent  north-east  storm  raged,  and  as  the 
workmen  had  neglected  to  cover  the  top  of  the  walls,  the  mortar  be- 
came soaked,  and  they  were  weakened,  and  more  than  half  of  the 
walls,  which  were  ready  for  the  plates,  fell.  In  addition  to  this,  dur- 
ing the  same  year,  serious  sickness  prevailed,  and  many  of  the  lead- 
ing subscribers  died;  so  that,  if  the  subscriptions  had  not  been  made 
the  previous  year,  the  erection  of  the  church  would  have  been  indefi- 
nitely delayed.  To  assist  in  meeting  the  cost  of  building  the  new  church 
the  pews  were  sold  at  auction,  subject  to  an  annual  rental  for  the  sup- 
port of  a minister.  Conditions  were  made  for  the  lapse  of  the  pews  to 
the  church,  if  the  rental  was  not  paid.  Many  persons  purchased 
pews,  taking  the  majority  of  those  in  the  body  of  the  church  and  on 
the  sides  of  the  pulpit,  and  many  of  those  now  under  the  gallery. 
The  sale  amounted  to  a large  sum,  which  greatly  aided  the  work. 
The  church  was  completed  and  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty 
God  on  Thanksgiving  day,  1829.  The  persons  who  had  the  super- 
vision of  its  erection  were  John  Van  Deventer  and  James  Cropsey. 

The  difficulties  in  the  church  not  being  composed,  Dr.  Beattie  re- 
signed his  charge  March  8th,  1834,  and  removed  with  his  family  to 
Lockport,  N.  Y.,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  January  27th, 
1864.  The  following  minute  appears  on  the  books  of  the  Classis  of 


; 


2 6 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


Long  Island,  at  the  time  of  Dr.  Beattie’s  resignation,  Oct  14th,  1834: 
“ A joint  application  came  before  the  Classis  for  the  dissolution  of  the 
pastoral  relation.  The  application  for  the  dissolution  was  granted,  and 
the  Classis  adopted  the  following:  Resolved , unanimously,  That  this 
Classis  unite  with  the  Consistory  of  New  Utrecht  in  expressing  their 
regret  at  the  circumstances  which,  in  the  providence  of  the  Lord,  has 
led  to  the  separation  of  the  Rev.  John  Beattie  from  them  as  their  pas- 
tor, and,  while  they  fervently  pray  that  the  Lord  would  pour  out  upon 
them  as  a people  the  spirit  of  unity  and  peace,  and  speedily  send  them 
another  pastor  after  His  own  heart,  to  break  to  them  the  bread  of  life, 
they  would  most  affectionately  commend  to  the  churches  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  their  beloved  brother,  the  Rev.  John  Beattie, 
as  an  able,  faithful,  zealous  and  successful  minister  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, trusting  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  will  soon  appoint 
him  another  field  of  labor,  and  continue  him  long  as  a blessing  to  His 
church  and  people.”  At  the  time  of  Dr.  Beattie’s  resignation  the 
church  numbered  68  members. 

After  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Beattie,  the  congregation  was  without 
a pastor  about  a year,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Robert 
Ormiston  Currie,  D.  D.  Dr.  Currie  was  a native  of  Hudson.  N.  Y. 
He  was  a graduate  of  Rutgers  College,  and  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  New  Brunswick.  After  graduation  he  was  appointed  rector 
1 of  the  Grammar  School  in  New  Brunswick,  wherein  young  men  receive 

their  preparation  for  college.  A call  was  made  upon  him,  and  he  ac- 
cepted it,  and  was  ordained  February  15,  1835.  continued  to 
serve  the  congregation  until  his  death — a period  of  over  thirty-one 
years.  He  happily  healed  the  divisions  of  the  people,  and  united  the 
members  of  the  congregation.  By  his  judicious  course,  he  bound  the 
affections  of  the  people  to  him,  and  strengthened  their  attachments  to 
the  church.  Under  his  ministry  the  church  prospered.  During  his  pas- 
torate a chapel  was  erected  in  the  village  of  Fort  Hamilton,  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  Sabbath-school,  and  services  were  held  there 
on  the  last  Sabbath  afternoon  of  every  month.  A lecture  room  was  also 
erected  in  the  village  of  New  Utrecht.  The  number  of  sittings  in  the 
church  was  also  increased,  by  the  erection  of  a gallery.  The  church 
increased  in  her  benevolent  offerings,  yet  few  comparatively  were 
added  to  the  membership.  The  ordinances  were  regularly  dispensed, 
and  waited  on  by  the  people.  Some  were  added  to  the  church, 
and  God’s  children  were  instructed  in  the  great  doctrines  of  salvation. 
He  preached  the  word  faithfully,  yet  no  mention  appears  of  any  season 
of  religious  interest  during  his  ministry.  Those  who  knew  him  well 


. ..  "h  ■ 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH,  NEW  UTRECHT,  L.  /. 


27 


have  remarked  that  toward  the  close  of  his  life  he  seemed  to  be 
burdened  by  some  great  sorrow.  It  was,  I doubt  not,  the  burden 
many  a minister  carries,  and  by  which  he  is  borne  down,  when  the 
truth  he  utters  does  not  seem  to  result  in  the  quickening  of  God’s 
professed  people,  and  the  conversion  of  sinners.  I feel  almost  author- 
ized to  state  this  as  the  cause  of  his  sorrow ; for  I remember  to  have 
heard  Dr.  Howard  Crosby,  of  New  York,  remark  (in  conversation), 
that  the  last  time  he  met  Dr.  Currie  before  his  death,  the  latter  placed 
his  arms  around  his  neck  and  bursting  into  tears,  said,  “ I wish  I could 
see  some  more  fruit  of  my  ministry.”  But  the  Lord  had  ordered 
otherwise. 

Still  he  did  not  relax  his  efforts  of  faith  and  prayer.  Like.  Paul 
at  Ephesus,  he  toiled  on  in  public  and  in  secret,  even  when  his  la- 
bors appeared  the  most  fruitless  and  unavailing.  But  the  seeds  he 
cast  were  the  seeds  of  God’s  Kingdom ; the  word  which  he  preached 
“ was  quick  and  powerful.”  Relying  on  the  promise  of  God,  “ they 
that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy,”  he  continued  faithful,  in  season 
and  out  of  season  preaching  the  truth.  He  was  a beautiful  illustra- 
tion of  the  patient  toiler  in  his  Master’s  vineyard. 

“ Sow  thy  seed ; be  never  weary, 

Nor  let  fears  thy  mind  employ. 

Be  the  prospect  ne’er  so  dreary, 

Thou  shalt  reap  the  fruits  of  joy.” 

After  a season — as  it  always  does — the  seed  of  God’s  word,  pray- 
erfully and  faithfully  sown,  took  root,  and  sprang  up,  and  waved  in 
blessed  harvest ; but  he  did  not  live  to  gather  it.  Like  Moses,  he 
came  to  the  distant  view  of  the  inheritance  only.  He  lived  to  see 
a little  interest  in  spiritual  things  awakened  among  the  young  people 
in  the  church,  before  he  died.  His  last  sermon  in  the  church  was 
preached  from  the  14th  verse  of  the  Soth  Psalm — “Return,  we  be- 
seech thee,  O God  of  hosts  : Look  down  from  heaven  and  behold  and 
visit  this  vine.” 

Dr.  Currie  was  a man  of  more  than  ordinary  attainments,  both  of 
a literary  and  theological  character.  He  was  an  excellent  classical 
scholar.  In  ecclesiastical  affairs,  he  took  a prominent  part,  and  in 
church  courts  was  looked  upon  as  good  authority  on  constitutional 
questions.  In  debate,  he  was  welcomed  as  a colleague  and  dreaded 
as  an  opponent.  In  his  pastoral  work  he  was  faithful  and  affection- 
ate. He  was  kind,  and  at  times  humorous  in  manner,  and  without  a 
trace  of  arrogance  or  self-importance.  He  was  a man  widely  re- 


. --aoj  :o  ■■!  •-  -■  ' j 


28 


TIVO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


spected.  In  March,  1866,  while  he  was,  as  usual,  preparing  to  attend  a 
meeting  of  the  Long  Island  Bible  Society,  he  was  taken  with  a severe 
paroxysm  of  pain,  under  which  he  ruptured  one  of  the  small  blood 
vessels  near  his  heart,  and  instantly  expired.  A tablet,  with  an  in- 
scription written  by  Dr.  J.  S.  Lord,  was  erected  in  the  church,  to  his 


memory. 

Rev.  Mr.  Van  Buren  says  of  him : “ He  was  a careful  student. 
He  had  mental  traits  which  rendered  him  competent  to  distinguish 
himself  in  any  of  the  departments  of  learning.  He  was  careful,  can- 
did, wise  in  counsel,  a good  adviser  in  ecclesiastical  matters.  An  ex- 
ample of  punctuality  in  attendance,  and  of  courtesy  and  propriety  in 


conference  and  debate  with  his  ministerial  brethren ; and  as  such  he 
is  held  in  memory,  esteemed  and  respected. 

The  sudden  death  of  Dr.  Currie  produced  a profound  impression 
upon  the  congregation  and  vicinity.  Many  persons  were  led  by  it  to 
serious  1 ejection.  A blessed  revival  followed.  Special  meetings  were 
held  for  nine  weeks.  Although  it  was  the  spring-time,  the  people 
found  time  for  these  services.  They  left  their  ploughs  an  hour  earlier 
than  usual,  in  order  that  they  might  be  at  the  place  of  prayer.  At 
these  services  Rev.  Hugh  S.  Carpenter,  D.  D.,  Rev.  C.  L.  Wells,  Rev. 
C.  Brett,  and  others,  greatly  aided  the  work.  The  result  was  a large 
ingathering  of  souls.  The  church  had  an  accession  of  69  on  confes- 
sion, in  one  year — a number  equal  to  one-half  of  its  former  member- 
ship. Many  of  the  converts,  in  their  examination  for  admission  to 
membership,  referred  to  his  sermons  as  the  means  whereby  they  were 
brought  to  reflection.  At  his  death  the  number  of  members  was  137. 

After  the  death  of  Dr.  Currie,  the  church  was  vacant  for  a period 
of  fifteen  months.  The  present  pastor  of  this  congregation — a grad- 
uate of  Rutgers  College  and  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  New 
Brunswick — first  preached  in  this  church  by  invitation,  Nov.  nth, 
1866.  In  the  following  spring  a call  was  made,  and  he  was  installed 
on  June  27th,  1867.  He  is  the  third  pastor  of  this  church  since  its 
separate  existence.  The  sermon  on  that  occasion  was  preached  by 
Rev.  Wm.  Brush,  of  Bedminster,  N.  J.,  the  charge  to  the  pastor  was 
delivered  by  Rev.  M.  G.  Hansen,  of  Gravesend,  and  the  charge  to 
the  people  by  the  Rev.  C.  L.  Wells,  of  Flatbush.  Ten  years  have 
passed  away  since  I came  among  you.  Of  what  has  been  crowded 
into  them,  I purpose  on  this  occasion  only  to  make  a brief  mention. 

The  revival,  which  preceded  my  entrance  upon  the  work,  not  only 
added  to  the  church  membership,  but  it  also  increased  its  usefulness  and 
power.  The  hearts  of  all  were  warm,  and,  under  the  impulses  of  the 


. 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH, , NEW  UTRECHT \ L.  I. 


29 


Holy  Spirit,  were  led  to  devoted  effort  for  Christ’s  cause,  and  to  lib- 
erality toward  the  work  beyond  our  own  bounds.  Our  church  had 
enjoyed  a good  reputation  for  liberality.  What  the  amount  of  con- 
tributions were  before  the  time  of  which  I speak,  we  have  no  means 
of  knowing.  In  the  last  ten  years  there  has  been  raised  over  twelve 
thousand  dollars  for  benevolence  outside  of  our  own  field,  and  the 
congregation  has  raised  thirty  thousand  dollars  for  improvements 
in  the  church  edifice  and  chapels,  and  the  parsonage  and  congrega- 
tional purposes.  In  the  year  1869,  a handsome  stone  chapel  was 
erected  at  Edgewood,  by  the  generosity  of  some  of  the  members  of 
the  congregation,  at  a cost  of  six  thousand  dollars.  A Young  Men’s 
Christian  Association  was  organized  in  1869.  In  the  year  1875  an 
addition  to  the  church  edifice,  for  the  organ  and  choir,  was  completed, 
at  a cost  of  forty-seven  hundred  dollars.  It  was  rededicated  No- 
vember 7th,  1875.  In  these  ten  years  God  has  not  left  us  without 
tokens  of  His  favor  and  blessing.  No  year  has  passed  without  bring- 
ing accessions  to  the  membership.  In  the  early  spring  of  1876, 
another  gracious  outpouring  of  the  Hcly  Spirit  was  enjoyed.  Special 
meetings  were  held  during  six  weeks,  and  forty-seven  were  re- 
ceived into  church  fellowship — forty-five  of  them  upon  confession  of 
their  faith  in  Christ.  The  most  of  them  were  young  people.  Forty- 
five  members  of  the  church  have  died  during  this  period,  all  of  them 
dearly  beloved,  many  of  them  pillars  in  the  house  of  the  Lord. 
Many  have  been  certified  to  other  congregations,  and  now  the  church 
numbers  two  hundred  and  forty-five  members.  To  God  be  all  the 
praise. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  last  Annual  Report  of  the 
Consistory : “ By  God’s  blessing  we  come  to  our  two  hundredth  year, 

having  a larger  membership  than  ever  before  were  identified  with  us. 
The  last  indebtedness  which  had  been  incurred  by  the  alterations  of 
the  parsonage,  and  by  the  enlargement  of  the  church,  and  the  purchase 
. of  an  organ,  has  been  cancelled  by  the  generous  gifts  of  the  people, 
while  the  calls  of  benevolence  have  been  met  with  liberality.”  More 
than  one-half  of  the  present  members  and  supporters  of  the  church  are 
the  descendants  of  those  who  were  its  members  and  supporters  before 
the  Revolutionary  War.  It  is  a gratifying  fact  to  find  that  my  ances- 
tors were  among  them. 

During  the  last  one  hundred  years  this  church  has  given  a num- 
ber of  her  sons  to  the  ministry  of  the  Lord,  and  her  daughters  as 
helpmeets  to  many  clergymen.  We  mention  the  names  of  Rev. 
George  Barcalow,  Rev.  Peter  Van  Pelt,  Rev.  Philip  Duryee,  Rev, 


. 

■ 

. 

' 


TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY, 


30 

Hugh  S.  Carpenter,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Charles  H.  Pool,  and  Rev.  Charles 
S.  Wright.  The  last  three  occupy  positions  of  usefulness ; the  others 
have  passed  away  to  their  reward. 

This  is  a sketch  of  the  past  two  hundred  years.  Such  has  been 
the  ministry  God  has  given  you.  This  is  a brief  review  of  the  histo- 
ry of  God’s  care  and  love  and  faithfulness  to  this  congregation  since 
its  origin.  For  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  it  was  the  only  church 
in  the  town.  How  much  this  church  has  blessed  this  town  ! What 
good  it  has  done  our  families  cannot  be  estimated  in  this  world. 
Whatever  of  truth  and  of  sound  theology  and  of  early  training  in  the 
love  of  the  right  we  possess,  we  are  indebted  most  of  all  to  her.  Of 
many  it  is  written,  “ This  and  that  man  were  born  there.” 

But  having  already  occupied  much  time,  and  perhaps  exhausted 
your  patience,  let  me  bring  my  discourse  to  a close  with  the  presenta- 
tion of  two  thoughts  which  the  review  of  the  past  two  hundred  years 
suggests.  The  path  has  not  been  all  joyous.  There  have  been  al- 
ternations of  trials  and  triumphs ; yet  goodness  and  mercy  have  fol- 
lowed this  congregation  throughout  all  its  history.  “ The  Lord  hath 
been  mindful  of  his  covenant.”  He  hath  blessed  us,  and  will  He  not 
bless  us  still?  If  we  seek  Him,  He  will  be  found  of  us.  If  we  are 
faithful,  He  will  not  forsake  us.  He  will  “ look  down  from  heaven, 
and  behold,  and  visit  this  vine.” 

Let  me  mention  two  things  which  it  appears  God’s  goodness  to 
this  congregation  in  the  past  calls  loudly  for.  One  is,  our  entire 
consecration  to  Him.  The  retrospect  of  the  past,  the  thought  of  God’s 
uninterrupted  preservation  and  blessing,  ought  to  lead  all  to  a renew- 
ed and  fuller  consecration  of  all  we  have  and  are  unto  Him  who 
loved  us,  and  gave  Himself  for  us.  Some  of  you  remember  well  all 
the  pastors,  from  Dominie  Schoonmaker  until  the  present.  Could  we 
recall  them  for  a brief  season,  and  have  them  here  once  more  to 
speak  to  us  some  important  message,  we  do  not  doubt  their  message 
to  us  would  be  the  same  they  so  tenderly  and  earnestly  spoke  to  you 
years  ago.  “ Be  ye  reconciled  to  God.”  “ Forsake  not  the  assembling 
of  yourselves  together .”  “ Believe  071  the  Lord  J'esus  Christ , and  thou 

shalt  be  saved.”  “ Be  thou  faithful  unto  death , a?id  I will  give  you  a 
crown  of  life.” 

The  other  duty  called  for  by  this  review  is  gratitude.  Gratitude 
for  past  mercies.  Every  one  who  is  in  any  way  connected  with  this 
church,  has  reason  to  be  grateful.  The  Church  of  our  Fathers  is  our 
church.  This  church,  organized  for  the  worship  and  service  of  God, 
is  no  less  effective  because  it  is  old;  but,  on  the  contrary,  because  of 


REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH, \ NEW  UTRECHT,  L.  /.  ^ 

this  fact,  there  is  gathered  around  the  name  and  the  place  associations 
most  dear,  which  are  calculated,  among  the  thoughtful  and  devoted, 
to  increase  her  power  for  good.  When  Israel  had  crossed  the  Jor- 
dan, God  bid  them  take  stones  from  the  midst  of  the  stream  and 
erect  a memorial  as  a sign ; and  when  their  children  said,  “ What  mean 
ye  by  these  stones  ?”  they  should  let  their  children  know  that  Israel 
had  come  over  Jordan  on  dry  land.  And  as  we  come  up,  by  God’s 
gracious  guidance,  out  of  a second  century,  we  also  should  show  to 
our  children  that  we  have  the  spirit  of  our  fathers ; and  when  the 
children  say,  “ What  mean  ye  by  this  service  ?”  the  fathers  may  reply, 
“ It  was  in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  way  in  which  God  had  led 
our  venerable  church.” 

One  day,  in  yonder  harbor,  a person  was  observed  in  the  w-ater, 
and  almost  drowned,  because  he  was  unable  to  swim.  A stalwart 
man  plunged  in,  and  lifted  him  up  and  sustained  him  and  brought 
him  to  the  dock  in  safety.  He  was  saved,  when  it  seemed  that  he 
must  have  perished.  He  turned  to  his  rescuer  and  asked,  “ What 
can  I do  to  show  my  gratitude  ?”  He  went  to  his  home  and  related 
to  his  family  the  story  of  his  peril  and  his  rescue.  And  it  touched 
their  hearts  and  awakened  the  inquiry  of  the  wife  and  of  the  children, 
“What  can  we  do  to  show  our  thankfulness  ? ” How  many  of  us 
have  friends  and  parents  and  children,  who  through  the  instrumental- 
ity cf  this  Church  of  God  have  been  rescued ; and  shall  we  not  ask, 
“ What  can  we  do  to  show  our  gratitude  ?”  If  nothing  more,  it  ought 
to  awaken  every  one  to  greater  interest  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
Two  hundred  years  of  such  experience  of  God’s  care  and  blessing 
ought  to  confirm  our  faith  in  the  Lord,  in  the  fruitfulness  of  His 
word,  in  the  faithfulness  of  His  promises.  It  ought  to  quicken  every 
one  to  earnest  activity.  Shall  we  be  true  to  the  faith  of  God  ? Shall 
we  be  true  to  the  standard  our  fathers  gave  to  us,  on  which,  above 
every  other,  is  the  name  of  Jesus  ? 

“ Let  us  learn  from  their  example.  In  humble  penitence  and  loving 
faith;  in  steadfast  loyalty  to  Christ  Jesus;  in  pure,  peaceable  and  pa- 
tient continuance  in  every  path  of  duty  toward  God  and  all  men,  let 
us  go  forward  and  discharge  the  mission  which  God  has  committed 
to  our  hands.  And  so,  when  another  hundred  years  shall  be  added 
to  these,  and  we  shall  have  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth,  to  mingle 
our  dust  with  the  dust  of  our  fathers  and  mothers,  shall  our  descend- 
ants come  to  lay  their  tribute  on  our  graves,  and  say,  with  filial  pride, 
‘They  were  faithful  to  us,  as  their  fathers  were  faithful  to  them.’  ” 

God  grant  it,  for  Christ’s  sake.  Amen. 


ADDRESS 


ON  THE 

ANNALS  OF  NEW  UTRECHT. 

BY 

TEUNIS  G.  BERGEN. 


Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 

At  the  request  of  your  Pastor  and  Consistory,  I have  prepared 
and  will  attempt  to  give,  a condensed  account  of  the  annals  of  New 
Utrecht  in  olden  times,  commencing  at  its  foundation  and  ending 
about  the  period  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  first  reliable  account  we  have  of  the  Bay  of  New  York,  on 
which  the  town  of  New  Utrecht  is  situated,  is  that  of  Hendrick  Hud- 
son, who,  on  a voyage  of  discovery  in  1609,  entered  the  same.  The 
lands  about  the  Narrows,  he  states,  “ were  as  pleasant  with  Grasse,  and 
Flowers,  and  goodly  Trees,  as  ever  they  had  seen,  and  very  sweet 
smells  came  from  them.”  The  discovery  of  the  Bay  of  New  York  by 
Verrazzano,  a Florentine  in  the  service  of  the  King  of  France,  in  the 
spring  of  1524,  as  set  forth  in  our  old  histories,  has  lately  been 
clearly  proved,  by  the  Hon.  H.  C.  Murphy,  to  be  a myth,  and 
without  foundation. 

The  first  application  for  land  in  New  Utrecht  to  the  Director 
General  and  Council  of  New  Netherlands  (as  this  country  was  then 
called  by  Europeans),  after  the  first  settlements  in  the  colony, 
was  that  made  by  Antony  Jansen  van,  or  from,  Salee,  in  Africa — a 
banished  settler  of  New  Amsterdam — for  100  morgen,  or  200  acres,  on 
the  3rd  day  of  August,  1639;  which  was  granted,  and  a patent  issued 
for  the  same,  on  the  27th  of  May,  1643.  These  premises  were  lo- 

3 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


cated  partly  in  New  Utrecht  and  partly  in  Gravesend,  as  the  town 
boundaries  are  now  fixed.  He  probably  removed  to  these  lands  im- 
mediately after  the  granting  of  his  application,  and  was  recognized  as  a 
resident  of  New  Utrecht  shortly  after  its  organization  as  a town — his 
dwelling  being  located,  as  is  supposed,  at  what  is  now  known  as 
Unionville — and  he  was  undoubtedly  the  first  European  settler  who 
occupied  lands  within  the  boundaries  of  this  town  and  its  neighbor, 
Gravesend.  The  Van  Sicklen  and  part  of  the  Emmons  family  of  this 
locality  are  his  descendants. 

November  22nd,  1652,  Cornelis  Van  Werckhoven,  a member 
of  the  West  India  Company — who,  it  may  be  said,  were  the  European 
proprietors  of  New  Netherlands — purchased  of  the  Indian  proprie- 
tors what  is  commonly  known  as  the  Nyack  tract,  extending  along 
the  Narrows  and  Lower  Bay,  from  the  line  between  the  farms  late  of 
Albert  N.  Van  Brunt  and  that  late  of  Chandler  White,  to  what  is 
known  as  Cortelyou’s  Lane,  or  the  road  leading  from  the  Bay  near 
the  residence  of  John  C.  Bennett,  to  the  village  of  New  Utrecht. 
Under  this  purchase  a much  larger  tract  was  claimed — covering  about 
the  whole  town  and  a part  of  Brooklyn — which  was  finally  narrowed 
down  to  the  above  boundary.  The  price  paid  was,  6 shirts,  2 pairs 
shoes,  6 pairs  stockings,  6 adzes,  6 knives,  2 scissors,  and  6 combs. 
The  intention  of  Van  Werckhoven,  under  the  regulations  of  the  West 
India  Company,  was  to  become  a patroon,  or  feudal  lord,  over  this 
territory.  One  of  the  conditions  imposed  by  the  Company  on  their 
large  grants  was,  that  the  grantee  should  within  four  years  place  100 
settlers  over  15  years  of  age  on  his  premises.  If  Van  Werckhoven 
had  succeeded  in  his  attempt,  the  soil  of  New  Utrecht  would  probably 
to  this  day  have  been  held  by  one  family,  and  cursed  with  leasehold 
tenures  like  unto  that  by  the  Rensselaers  and  others  on  the  Hudson. 

Van  Werckhoven,  shortly  after  his  Indian  purchase,  commenced 
settlement  on  his  lands,  returning  to  Holland  in  1654,  to  obtain  the 
requisite  number  of  settlers  to  entitle  him  to  his  feudal  privileges, 
leaving  Jacques  Corteljau,  the  private  tutor  of  his  children,  to  man- 
age his  affairs  during  his  absence.  Before  leaving,  he  built  a resi- 
dence and  secure  retreat,  enclosed  with  palisades,  on  his  purchase, 
sufficient  to  baffle  any  attack  by  the  Indians.  This  was  the  second 
house  built  in  the  town,  and,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  was  lo- 
cated on  the  site  of,  and  its  walls  are  probably  included  within,  the 
present  residence  of  John  C.  Bennett.  Van  Werckhoven  did  not 
return  to  this  country,  dying  in  1656,  leaving  a widow  and  two  chil- 
dren. 


1.851,6/20 


ANNALS  OF  NEW  UTRECHT, \ 35 

Corteljau’s  management  of  the  affairs  of  Van  Werckhoven  ap- 
pears to  have  been  unsatisfactory  to  the  heirs,  who,  in  1658,  petitioned 
the  Directors  in  Amsterdam  to  compel  him  to  account  and  de- 
liver over  the  property.  To  this  Corteljau  answered  that  in  the  first 
place  he  ought  to  be  paid  the  “ sums  due  him  by  writings,  acts  of 
Notary  Public,  and  advanced  money.”  The  Directors  directed  and 
urged  Director  Stuyvesant  to  attend  to  the  matter ; but  no  settlement 
appears  to  have  been  made.  Corteljau  remaining  in  possession,  and 
managing,  after  founding  the  town  of  New  Utrecht,  to  hold  the  same 
until  after  the  conquest  of  the  colony  by  the  English,  when  he  obtain- 
ed from  them  a patent  for  the  part  he  held.  There  is  documentary 
evidence  showing  that  Van  Werckhoven  left  debts  which  Corteljau 
paid ; and  it  may  be  that  his  claims  equaled  the  value  of  the  proper- 
ty. From  a suit  in  1658,  it  may  be  inferred  that  Van  Werckhoven 
erected  a mill  on  his  tract. 

Corteljau  having  no  means  to  procure  the  necessary  settlers  to 
secure  the  whole  of  Van  Werckhoven’s  tract,  in  1657  applied  to  the 
Director  General  and  Council  for  consent  to  found  and  lay  out  a town 
on  the  same.  His  petition  was  granted  on  the  16th  of  January  of 
that  year,  on  which  day  he  proceeded  to  lay  out  20  lots  of  25  mor- 
gens (50  acres)  each,  which  were  assigned  to  the  following  founders 
who  were  desirous  of  making  the  settlement,  and.  to  most  of  whom 
patents  were  afterwards  granted  : • 

JACQUES  CORTELJAU. 

NICASIUS  DE  SILLE, 

(the  Heer  Councillor  and  Fiscaal). 

PETER  BUYS. 

JACOB  HELLAKERS,  alias. 

SWART  (Swarthout). 

JONCKHER  JACOBUS  CORLAER. 

JOHAN  TOMASSE  (Van  Dyck;. 

RUTGER  JOESTEN  (Van  Brunt). 

PIETER  ROELEFSEN. 

CORNELIS  BEEKMAN. 

In  addition  to  their  farms,  each  settler  had  a village  plot,  for  a 
residence. 

Of  these  20  settlers,  Van  Brunt  is  the  only  one  who  has  male  de- 
scendants now  residiug  in  the  town,  and  Corteljau,  De  Sille,  Van 


JOHAN  ZEELEN. 

ALBERT  ALBERTSE  (Terhune). 
WILLEM  WILLEMSE  (Van  Engen). 
HUYBERT  STOOCK. 

PIETER  JANSEN. 

JAN  JACOBSEN. 

JACOBUS  BACKER. 

JACOB  PETERSE. 

CLAES  CLAESSEN  (Smit). 
TEUNIS  JOOSTEN. 


36 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS . 


Dyck,  and  perhaps  Terhune,  are  the  only  ones  who  have  female  de- 
scendants among  us. 

The  village  and  town  was  named  New  Utrecht,  after  Utrecht  in 
Holland,  an  ancient  city  on  the  Rhine,  of  near  48,000  inhabitants,  of 
which  place  Van  Werckhoven  held  the  office  of  schepen. 

The  first  house  erected  therein  was  a small  square  one,  of  clap- 
boards, removed  by  Jacob  Hellakers  (who  was  a carpenter)  from 
Gravesend. 

De  Sille,  Van  Brunt,  and  Peter  Buys  contracted,  in  November, 
1657,  with  Hellakers,  to  erect  for  them  dwellings.  These  houses  were 
completed  in  1658;  De  Sille’s  being  42  Dutch  feet  (39ft.  63^in.  En- 
glish) in  length,  and  the  first  in  the  town  which  was  covered  with  tiles. 
This  house  was  the  old  stone  building  south-east  of  the  old  church 
edifice  and  burying-ground ; torn  down  in  1850,  and  last  occupied 
by  Barent  Wyckoff,  who  inherited  the  same  from  Rutgert  W.  Van 
Brunt. 

It  was,  with  the  surrounding  grounds,  sold  at  public  vendue  on 
the  29th  of  March,  1674,  by  Adrian  Hegeman  of  Flatbush,  auctioneer, 
by  order  of  Nicholas  Bayard,  curator,  or  trustee,  of  Nicasius  De 
Sille  and  Catrina  Croegers,  his  wife,  to  Rutgert  Joesten  Van  Brunt — 
the  conveyance  for  which  I hold  in  my  hands  and  exhibit.  This  con- 
veyance is  in  a good  state  of  preservation,  is  three  years  older  than 
the  date  of  the  church  orgainzation  whose  anniversary  we  are  now 
celebrating,  and  is  dated  only  seventeen  years  after  the  first  settlement 
of  this  village. 

De  Sille  was  an  educated  man — unfortunate  in  his  latter  days — 
who  wrote  the  early  records  of  this  town  from  its  foundation  to  De- 
cember 15th,  1660,  from  which  I have  gleaned  much  that  I give  you, 
and  whose  beautiful  penmanship  is  probably  superior  to  that  of  any 
one  of  the  assemblage  now  before  me. 

In  the  war  in  1659  with  the  Esopus,  or  Kingston  Indians,  the 
settlers,  having  the  Nyack  Indians  in  their  immediate  vicinity,  and 
fearing  a general  rising  among  the  Long  Island  tribes,  became  alarm- 
ed for  their  safety.  As  a place  of  refuge  they  fortified  De  Sille’s 
house  by  surrounding  it  with  palisades,  and  kept  a strict  watch. 

About  this  period  Nicasius  de  Sille,  the  Fiscaal  of  the  colony,  was 
appointed  schout,  or  sheriff,  of  the  town,  and  Jan  Tomasse  (Van 
Dyck)  sergeant. 

In  1660,  Jan  Tomasse  (Van  Dyck)  and  Jacobus  Van  Curler  were 
appointed  overseers  (magistrates)  of  the  town  ; at  which  period  there 
appears  to  have  been  1 1 dwelling  houses  in  the  village. 


. 

. 


ANNALS  OF  NEW  UTRECHT. 


37 


February  6,  1660,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  the  Director  General,  and 
the  Fiscaal  De  Sille  visited  the  village,  on  which  occasion  the  inhabi- 
tants hoisted  the  Prince’s  flag  on  a high  pole  in  the  center  of  the  set- 
tlement, and  Rutger  Joesten  (Van  Brunt)  gave  a public  entertain- 
ment. This  was  the  first  banquet  and  flag-raising  in  the  place  of 
which  we  have  any  account. 

February  23d,  1C60,  the  Director  General  and  Council  ordered 
the  village  to  be  enclosed  with  palisades,  a block  house  to  be  built 
in  the  center  thereof,  and  to  cut  down  the  trees  within  gunshot,  to 
prevent,  in  case  of  attack,  the  Indians  from  skulking  behind  them. 
Also  to  make  provision  for  a mill  and  public  pound. 

In  the  same  month  a general  proclamation  was  issued,  ordering 
those  who  resided  in  separate  dwellings  outside  the  villages  to  aban- 
don and  destroy  or  unroof  them,  and  to  remove  to  the  villages  for 
protection.  Albert  Albertsen  (Terhune)  who  hired  the  plantation  of 
Cornelis  Van  Werckhoven,  for  disobeying  the  order,  was  fined,  on 
the  19th  of  August,  50  guil.,  and  ordered  to  stand  committed  until  the 
fine  was  paid. 

In  October  of  the  same  year,  in  consequence  of  one  of  the  vil- 
lagers having  done  amiss — to  frighten  the  vicious  and  encourage  the 
virtuous — the  Fiscaal  furnished  a half  dozen  shackles,  with  an  iron  rod 
and  good  lock.  About  this  date,  the  Fiscaal,  Jan  Van  Cleef,  and 
Titus  Syrax — for  the  accommodation  of  the  inhabitants — bought  of 
Jacob  Wolfertse  Van  Couwenhoven,  ahorse  mill,  with  its  appendages. 

On  the  2 2d  of  December,  1661,  a court  of  justice,  consisting  of  a 
sellout  and  three  commissaries,  was  appointed  for  the  town,  with 
criminal  and  civil  jurisdiction;  allowing  an  appeal  in  judgments  ex- 
ceeding 50  guil.  to  the  Director  General  and  Council.  Of  this  first 
court,  Adrian  Hegeman,  of  Flatbush,  was  appointed  schout,  and  Jan 
Tomasse  (Van  Dyck),  Rutger  Joesten  (Van  Brunt),  and  Jacob 
Hellakers,  commissaries. 

In  the  year  1663,  Thompson,  in  his  History  of  Long  Island,  says, 
one  of  the  clergy  of  New  Utrecht  was  accused  of  having  married  him- 
self, while  he  had  another  wife  living.  He  alleged,  by  way  of  ex- 
cuse, that  his  first  wife  had  eloped  without  any  just  cause,  and  being 
minded  to  take  another,  he  considered  he  had  as  good  a right  to  exe- 
cute the  ceremony  for  himself  as  for  any  other  person.  This  reason- 
ing failed  to  satisfy  the  court,  who  declared  the  marriage  void,  and 
fined  the  delinquent  200  guilden,  or  40  beaver  skins ; and  also  40  guild- 
en  more,  for  his  insolence  and  impertinence  to  the  court.  There  being 
no  clergyman  that  we  have  any  account  of  residing  at  this  period  in 


38 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


the  town,  the  delinquent — if  there  is  any  truth  in  the  story — may  have 
been  the  schoolmaster. 

In  1663,  while  Director  Stuyvesant  and  the  colony  were  engaged  in 
a new  war  with  the  Indians  at  Esopus,  and  there  was  danger  of  a gen- 
eral rising  of  the  Long  Island  savages,  the  English  towns  on  the  is- 
land revolted,  and  endeavored  to  unite  themselves  with  Connecticut, 
whose  people  were  noted  for  their  efforts  to  pilfer  the  territory  of  their 
Dutch  neighbors.  An  arrangement  was  finally  made  with  Connect- 
icut, by  Stuyvesant,  to  refer  their  difhculties  to  their  superiors  in  Eu- 
rope. Contrary  to  the  arrangement,  the  towns  of  “ Hempstede,  Gem- 
aco,  Newtown,  Oysterbay,  and  Gravesend”  entered  into  a consolida- 
tion, as  they  termed  it,  to  manage  their  own  affairs,  -without  the  assist- 
ance of  Connecticut  or  New  Netherlands.  They  employed  Capt. 
John  Scott,  an  unprincipled  adventurer,  to  act  as  their  president.  He 
proclaimed  Charles  the  Second  to  be  their  “ dreade  sovereign,’7  and 
set  out,  with  70  or  80  horsemen,  and  60  or  70  foot,  to  reduce  the 
Dutch  towns.  He  first  marched  to  Breukelen  (Brooklyn)  ferry,  where 
he  addressed  the  wondering  inhabitants  in  English — of  which  they 
understood  not  a word — and  hoisted  the  English  flag.  Here  he  was 
met  by  Secretary  Van  Ruyven,  who  invited  him  to  drop  over  and  see 
Director  Stuyvesant;  which  he  declined, threatening,  if  Stuyvesant  met 
him,  he  would  run  his  sword  through  him ; which  Van  Ruyven  said 
would  not  be  a very  friendly  act. 

After  making  considerable  disturbance  among  the  residents,  he 
marched  to  Midwoud,  or  Flatbush,  where  his  tumultuous  conduct 
was  such  as  to  cause  the  peaceable  inhabitants  to  look  on  with  amaze- 
ment. They  next  proceeded  to  New  Utrecht,  where  Scott  mounted 
the  block  house  and  harangued  in  English ; but  all  that  the  listeners 
could  understand  was,  “ this  country  and  all  America,  from  Virginia 
to  Boston,  belongs  to  King  Charles.”  When  in  the  block  house,  he 
upset  the  little  cannon  and  its  carriage,  which  was  mounted  therein, 
which  his  men  afterwards,  by  his  orders,  remounted  in  another  port- 
hole, in  the  king’s  name,  which  he  called  the  King’s  Port,  and  fired 
a salute.  He  required  the  magistrates  to  submit  to  the  king’s  authori- 
ty, which  they  refused  to  do  ; on  which  he  threatened  to  punish  them. 
An  Englishman  from  Hempstead  Plains,  in  searching  for  one  Matthys 
Pickstaert,  entered  the  house  of  Rutger  Joesten  Van  Brunt,  threaten- 
ing to  run  through  with  .a  sword  Tryntje  Claes,  his  wife,  unless  the 
man  was  produced. 

Scott  also  visited  Amersfoort,  (Flatlands) ; but  all  his  efforts  to 
induce  the  Dutch  towns  to  acknowledge  his  “dreade  sovereign,” fail-- 


ANNALS  OF  NEW  UTRECHT. 


39 

ed ; they  being  loyal  to  their  fatherland  and  not  relishing  Puritanical 
intolerance  or  English  interference  , 

The  effect  of  these  outrages  was  to  produce  confusion  and  contin- 
ual bickerings  between  the  Dutch  and  English  settlers,  which  contin- 
ued until  a squadron,  under  Col.  Nicolls,  on  the  8th-  of  December, 
1664,  made  its  appearance  in  the  harbor,  and,  with  the  assistance  of 
forces  from  New  England  and  the  English  towns  on  the  Island,  in 
the  name  of  the  Duke  of  York  conquered  the  colony.  This  shameful 
conquest  was  made  at  a time  of  peace  between  England  and  Holland, 
and  resembles  an  act  of  piracy  more  than  an  honorable  act  of  war. 
Not  satisfied  with  this,  they,  crowned  their  iniquity  by  selling  some  of 
the  Dutch  soldiers  who  were  taken  prisoners,  as  slaves  in  Virginia. 
In  this  barbaric  act  our  Puritan  neighbors  (who  where  in  the  habit 
of  selling  all  captured  Indians  for  slaves),  may  be  said  to  have  par- 
ticipated. Two  hundred  years  ago,  the  ancestors  of  the  men  who 
had  so  holy  a horror  of  negro  slavery  (which  cannot  be  justified),  sold 
not  only  negroes  and  Indians,  but  also  white  men.  If  slavery  is  a 
deadly  and  unpardonable  sin — as  lately  maintained  by  some — where 
are  the  souls  of  these  ancestors  now? 

Under  the  English  government,  the  state  was  divided  into  shires 
and  ridings,  of  which  the  towns  of  Kings  County,  Staten  Island  and 
Newtown,  constituted  the  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire. 

In  June,  1665,  New  Utrecht  was  directed  to  furnish  300  palisades, 
13  feet  in  length — her  quota  for  the  defence  of  the  City  of  New 
York. 

At  this  date,  Beef  sold  for  2d.,  Pork  for  3^.,  and  Butter  for  6d.  per 
pound.  Wheat  was  5^.,  Rye  2 s.  6d .,  and  Corn  2 s per  bushel.  Vict- 
uals, 6d.  per  meal.  Labor,  2 s.  6d.  per  day.  Lodgings,  2 d.  per  night. 
Board,  55-.  per  week.  Beer,  2d.  per  mug.  These  prices  varied  but 
little  during  the  next  twenty  years. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  1 668,  Gov.  Nicolls  issued  a patent  to  the 
town,  in  the  usual  form. 

In  March,  1672,  England  and  France  declared  war  against  the 
Netherlands.  On  the  23d  of  July,  1673,  during  this  war,  Evertsen  and 
Bincks,  with  a Dutch  squadron,  arrived  in  the  Lower  Bay,  and  on  the 
30th  of  July,  the  City  of  New  York  and  the  province  were  surrendered 
to  them,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  Dutch  settlers,  whose  experience  of 
the  English  government  was  not  very  satisfactoiy. 

Under  the  new  government,  Thomas  Jansen,  Hendrick  Matysen 
(Smack),  Jan  Thomasse  (Van  Dyck),  and  Jan  Van  Deventer  were 
appointed  schepens  of  New  Utrecht. 


40 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


On  the  29th  of  August  all  the  men  of  New  Utrecht,  41  in  number, 
took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  -Netherlands. 

On  the  1st  of  October  the  Governor  General  and  Council,  among 
other  instructions,  ordered  the  sheriffs  and  magistrates  of  towns  to 
“ take  care  that  the  Reformed  Christian  Religion  be  maintained  in 
conformity  to  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  without  permitting  any  other 
sects  attempting  any  thing  contrary  thereto.” 

The  colony  remained  under  its  Dutch  rulers  until  the  10th  of  No- 
vember, 1674,  when  it  was  finally  surrendered  unto  the  English,  in 
pursuance  of  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  of  Westminster. 

In  1675,  the  dwelling-house  of  Jaques  Corteljau  and  the  greater 
part  of  the  village  of  New  Utrecht  were  destroyed  by  fire.  On  the  1st 
of  May  of  said  year,  Andross,  the  English  Governor,  issued  a recom- 
mendation to  the  magistrates  of  Brooklyn,  to  request  the  people  of 
their  town  to  assist  Corteljau  with  one  day’s  work  in  rebuilding  his 
house,  and  also  to  assist  his  neighbors  in  the  town  of  New  Utrecht  in 
their  present  distress.  Fifty  scheples  of  winter  wheat  and  58  scheples 
of  peas  were  purchased  by  the  justices,  of  Daniel  de  Haert,  for  the 
use  of  the  inhabitants,  who  probably  lost  most  of  their  grain  by  the  fire, 
and  were  in  danger  of  starvation. 

November  n,  1779,  same  dwelling-house  (or  the  one  erected 
on  its  ruins)  was  again  destroyed  by  fire ; it  then  being  owned  by 
Isaac  Cortelyou,  and  the  lower  part  used  as  a bakery  by  the  33d  British 
Regiment.  The  fire  accidentally  occurred  in  consequence  of  a 
part  of  the  71st  British  Regiment  landing  some  of  their  sick,  and  kin- 
dling fires  in  the  building,  it  being  a very  windy  day. 

About  this  same  period  (1675),  in  consequence  of  the  fear  of  an 
Indian  war — especially  on  the  part  of  the  Long  Island  Indians — the 
Governor  required  a strict  watch  to  be  kept,  suspicious  actions  on  the 
part  of  the  Indians  to  be  reported,  and  in  localities  where  no  block 
house,  or  stronghold,  existed,  the  same  to  be  erected  as  a refuge  for 
the  wives  and  children  of  the  settlers,  and  the  wives  and  children  of 
the  friendly  Indians,  with  whom  good  faith  should  be  kept. 

In  1679  and  80,  Peter  Sluvter  and  Jasper  Dankers,  two  educated 
and  speaking  members  of  a sect  known  as  Labidists — an  offsprout  from 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Church — visited  this  country  in  search  of  a loca- 
tion to  found  a colony.  Among  their  fellow  passengers  were  Garret 
(Van  Duyn)  the  rademaaker,  or  wheelwright,  a former  residentof  New 
Utrecht,  and  Jan  Tuenissen  (Van  Dueyckhuysen),  of  the  Bay,  or 
Flatlands.  On  the  vessel  entering  the  Narrows,  it  was  boarded  by 
the  Nyack  Indians,  from  a canoe. 


ANNALS  OF  NEW  UTRECHT. 


41 


After  spending  some  days  in  New  York,  the  travelers,  under  the 
guidance  of  Garret  the  rademaaker,  passed  through  Brooklyn  and 
Gowanus  to  the  west  end  of  the  Island,  called  Nyack,  where  they 
found  the  plantation  of  the  Nyack  Indians,  on  which  there  was  grow- 
ing maize,  or  Indian  com.  They  found  the  whole  tribe,  consisting 
of  seven  or  eight  families,  dwelling  in  one  house,  about  60  feet  long, 
14  or  15  wide,  and  so  low  that  they  could  hardly  stand  up  in  it — the 
sides  and  roof  being  made  of  reeds  and  the  bark  of  trees.  They  had 
domestic  animals,  such  as  dogs,  poultry,  and  swine — which  they  had 
learned  from  the  Europeans  how  to  keep — and  had  peach  trees  full  of 
fruit.  For  a more  full  account  of  these  Indians,  I would  reter  you  to 
the  Hon.  H.  C.  Murphy’s  interesting  translation  of  the  journal  of 
those  Labidists. 

From  Nyack  the  party  proceeded  to  the  land  of  Jacques  (Cortel- 
jau),  which  they  found  fruitful,  and  then  to  his  house.  They  found 
him  an  old  man,  who  had  studied  philosophy,  a mathematician  and 
land  surveyor,  who  spoke  Latin  and  good  French  ; but  the  worst  of  it, 
they  said,  was  his  being  a Cartesian,  a follower  of  Descartes. 

They  went  to  the  village  of  New  Utrecht,  a half  hour’s  walk 
from  his  house,  which  was  almost  entirely  rebuilt  since  the  fire,  and 
several  fine  stone  buildings  erected.  They  spent  the  night  in  Jacques’ 
bam,  on  some  straw  spread  with  sheepskins,  and  in  the  midst,  they 
said,  “ of  such  a constant  grunting  of  hogs,  squealing  of  pigs,  bleat- 
ing and  coughing  of  sheep,  barking  of  dogs,  crowing  of  cocks,  cack- 
ling of  hens,  and  especially  of  such  a quantity  of  fleas — and  these  with 
the  barn  doors  open,  through  which  a strong  north-west  wind  had 
a passage — that  we  could  not  sleep ; but  we  could  not  complain,  as  we 
had  the  same  chamber  as  his  own  son  usually  slept  in.”  The  small- 
pox was  at  this  period  raging  in  the  vicinity — two  of  Jacques’  children 
being  prostrated  with  it  in  his  house — which  accounts  for  their  poor 
accommodation.  They  entered  one  house  where  there  were  two 
children  lying  dead ; one  had  been  buried  the  week  before,  and  three 
others  were  then  sick. 

They  afterwards  visited  Do.  Van  Zuuren,  who,  they  say,  was  a 
Cocceian,  “ a plain,  companionable  man,  who  mixed  freely  with  his 
people,  and  sympathized  with  them  in  their  labors.” 

On  another  occasion  they  met  the  Dominie  at  Flatlands,  whom  they 
found  “ chatting  and  gossiping  with  the  farmers  while  they  talked 
about  worldly  things,  without  giving  them  a single  word  of  reproof, 
or  about  God,  or  religious  matters.  It  was  all  about  houses,  and  cat- 
tle, and  hogs,  and  grain.”  The  persecution  of  the  Labidists  by  the 


42 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


mother  church  in  Holland  would  naturally  tend  to  cause  them  to  be 
prejudiced  against  her  ministry;  hence  their  unfavorable  opinion  of 
Van  Zuuren. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  1685,  at  a meeting  of  the  Council,  the 
quit  rent  of  New  Utrecht  was  fixed  at  six  bushels  of  good  winter 
wheat,  to  be  delivered  in  New  York.  This  quit  rent  continued  to  be 
paid  probably  until  the  Revolution;  after  which,  in  1786,  the  Super- 
visor of  the  town  paid  the  State  Treasurer  ^33  15s.  in  full  for  arrears, 
and  as  a commutation  for  future  quit  rents. 

May  13th,  1686,  Gov.  Dongan  granted  a new  patent  to  the 
town.  In  September,  1687,  fifty-two  individuals — probably  all  the 
adult  males  in  the  town — took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  British 
crown. 

The  principal  business  of  the  farmers  was  the  cultivation  of  grain 
and  tobacco,  and  the  raising  of  cattle,  which  required  large  farms. 
Being  straitened  for  room,  in  consequence  of  the  increase  of  their  fam- 
ilies, and  the  arable  land  in  the  county  being  all  taken  up,  at  this  period 
commenced  the  emigration  from  Kings  County  to  the  adjoining 
provinces;  East  New  Jersey  being  the  favorite  locality,  from  which 
Monmouth,  Somerset  and  Middlesex  counties  are  filled  with  the  de- 
scendants of  our  early  settlers. 

In  those  days  luxuries  had  not  attained  a foothold;  a few  pewter 
plates  and  dishes  for  the  table,  stools,  and  benches,  a chest  or  two, 
and  bed,  and  no  carpets,  constituted  the  main  furniture  of  their 
houses.  Their  farms  and  the  surrounding  forests  and  waters  furnished 
their  food.  The  fruits,  sweets  and  spices  of  the  tropics  were  generally 
unknown,  and  their  clothing  was  mainly  the  production  of  their  farms, 
manufactured  at  home.  They  were  noted  for  their  integrity,  and  in 
their  simple  habits  were  as  happy  and  contented,  if  not  more  so,  than 
we  are  with  all  our  luxuries. 

On  the  dethronement  of  James  the  Second,  and  the  securing  of  the 
throne  of  England  by  William  of  Orange  and  Mary,  Nicholson,  the 
Governor,  who  was  suspected  of  being  a Papist,  fleeing,  the  mili- 
tia took  possession  of  the  City  of  New  York  and  fortifications,  and 
the  inhabitants  elected  a Committee  of  Safety,  who  proclaimed  Wil- 
liam and  Mary,  and  induced  Jacob  Leisler  to  act  as  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor. Leisler,  having  come  to  the  country  as  a common  soldier  and 
risen  to  wealth  and  distinction  by  his  own  efforts,  was  opposed  by  the 
aristocratic  or  old  wealthy  families,  who  had  been  in  the  habit  of  as- 
sociating with  the  titled  Governors,  and  basking  in  their  sunshine. 

The  cb  untry  was  thus  divided  into  two  factions,  who  bitteriy  op- 


ANNALS  OF  NE  IV  UTRECHT, 


43 


posed  each  other.  On  the  arrival  of  Governor  Sloughter,  in  March, 
1691,  he  sided  with  the  aristocratic  faction,  who  were  determined  on 
the  destruction  of  Leisler.  Through  their  machinations,  Leisler  and 
many  of  his  adherents  were  seized  and  imprisoned,  and  tried  for 
treason.  Leisler  and  his  son-in-law  Millbourne  were  found  guilty  and 
unjustly  executed,  and  their  property  confiscated — which  latter  penalty 
was  afterwards  reversed  by  the  government  of  the  mother  country'. 
The  court  at  the  same  time  condemned  Myndert  Ivorten,  of  New 
Utrecht,  to  suffer  death  and  confiscation  of  property.  Korten  had 
been  one  of  Leisler’s  adherents,  and  held  the  office  of  High  Sheriff  of 
the  county  under  him.  My  sympathies,  as  you  perceive,  are  with 
the  followers  of  Leisler,  of  whom  my  ancestor,  Michael  Hansen  Ber- 
gen, was  one.  Those  of  Mr.  Sutphen,  my  pastor,  appear  to  be  with 
his  opponents. 

In  July,  1692,  Do.  Varick,  the  pastor  of  the  Dutch  churches  of 
Kings  County,  and  Jacques  Corteljau,  petitioned  the  Governor  against 
Korten,  and  requested  that  Joost  De  Baene  be  retained  as  school- 
master and  reader,  or  prelector,  of  the  church,  he  having  been  re- 
moved for  refusing  to  side  with  Korten  and  Leisler. 

They  accused  Korten  of  leading  troops  from  New  Utrecht  to  the 
fort  in  New  York,  for  Leisler.  Myndert  Korten  and  Gerardus 
Beakman,  of  Flatbush,  after  being  imprisoned  in  the  City  of  New 
York  more  than  seventeen  months,  on  petition  for  pardon,  were  finally 
released  on  the  15th  of  March,  1694,  and  escaped  the  doom  which 
their  enemies  desired  to  impose  upon  them. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  1692,  the  Court  of  Sessions  ordered  a 
good  pair  of  stocks  and  a good  pound  made  in  every  town  in  Kings 
County.  The  stocks  in  New  Utrecht,  some  50  years  ago,  were  located 
on  the  southerly  side  of  the  main  road  in  the  village,  nearly  op- 
posite to  the  site  of  the  old  district  school-house.  On  one  occasion, 
one  of  the  dominies  of  Flatlands  found  the  missing  wheels  of  his 
wagon  fastened  in  the  town  stocks. 

At  a militia  training  on  the  plains,  in  Flatlands,  in  1693,  Captain 
Jacques  Corteljau  being  in  arms  at  the  head  of  the  New  Utrecht 
company,  Arian  Hageell,  of  Bushwick,  said  to  the  people  present,  in 
Dutch,  u Slaan  wy  der  onder , wy  zyn  dric  tegen  een  ” — in  English, 
“ Let  us  knock  them  down  ; we  are  three  to  they-  one.”  For  these 
seditious  words  he  was  tried  by  the  Sessions,  and  fined  twenty  shil- 
lings. 

At  the  Sessions  in  1696,  the  Grand  Jury  indicted  a negro  named 
ComeinjJ,  belonging  to  Myndert  Korten,  for  breaking  the  Sabbath 


- 


44 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


by  ploughing.  Comeinj[  confessed  his  guilt,  was  fined  six  shillings, 
and  ordered  committed  to  the  custody  of  the  sheriff  until  his  fine  was 
paid. 

A deputy  sheriff  being  sent  to  Korten’s  to  execute  the  order,  Kor- 
ten  interposed,  locked  his  doors,  protected  the  offender,  and  said 
“ he  would  not  obey,  neither  did  he  value  any  of  their  orders.”  This 
being  reported  to  the  court,  the  sheriff  was  ordered  to  take  Korten 
into  custody  and  hold  him  until  he  gave  bonds  for  his  good  beha- 
vior and  appearance  at  the  next  Sessions. 

The  members  representing  this  town  in  the  Hempstead  Assembly 
of  1665,  were  Jacques  Corteljau  and  Balthazer  Vosch,  Jun. 

The  first  constable  after  the  English  conquest,  on  the  records,  is 
Hendrick  Matysen  Smack,  in  1669. 

The  first  opziejider,  or  overseer,  of  which  any  account  has  been 
seen,  is  Luykes  Mayerse,  in  1672. 

The  first  member  of  the  Governor’s  Council,  a resident  of  this 
town,  is  Jacques  Corteljau,  in  1675  ; who  in  the  same  year  appears 
to  have  been  the  first  resident  who  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the 
peace. 

The  office  of  town  clerk  was  instituted  by  Gov.  Andross,  on  the  3d 
of  May,  1679;  but  there  is  no  account  of  any  one  holding  the  office 
in  this  town  earlier  than  Joost  de  Baene,  in  1686. 

The  first  assessors  on  the  records  are  Myndert  Korten  and  Jan 
Hansen  (Van  Nostrand),  in  1687. 

The  first  resident  of  the  town  representing  the  county  in  the  State 
Assembly,  was  Myndert  Korten,  in  1698. 

The  first  resident  of  the  town  who  was  first  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  of  the  county,  was  Comelis  Van  Brunt,  in  1716; 
and  the  first  Assistant  Judge  was  Peter  Corteljau,  in  1702. 

On  the  first  organization  of  a Board  of  Supervisors  in  the  county, 
in  1703,  Joost  Van  Brunt  was  chosen  to  represent  the  town ; previous 
to  that  dote,  the  county  business  was  managed  by  the  justices  of  the 
peace  and  sessions. 

The  first  commissioners  of  highways  on  the  town  records  are 
Aert  Van  Pelt  and  Andries  Emans,  in  1721. 

Among  the  deputies  sent  from  the  county  to  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress of  the  State  of  New  York  in  1775,  to  oppose  British  aggression, 
was  Denyse  Denyse  of  New  Utrecht. 

May  9,  1704,  the  Court  of  Sessions  ordered  “ that  no  towne  laws 
or  orders  be  brought  into  this  court  in  Dutch,  or  any  other  language 
than  English.”  In  1705,  the  county  expenses  w'ere  ^146.  12 s.  gd. 


• ' 


ANNALS  OF  NEW  UTRECHT. 


45 


January  19,  1708,  Joris  Green  and  Jacobus  Woutersen  walked 
on  the  ice  from  Staten  Island  to  Long  Island.  This  feat  has  been 
performed  in  my  day  by  Colonel  Church. 

April  26,  1714,  Jacques  Corteljau  petitioned  the  Governor  to  be 
excused  from  serving  as  constable,  to  which  he  had  been  chosen,  in 
consequence  of  his  being  unacquainted  with  the  English  language. 

At  the  Court  of  Sessions  of  May  10,  1715,  the  Grand  Jury  indicted 
Hendrick  Hendrickson,  Jaques  Tunisen  (Denyse),  Hendrick  Emans, 
Wm.  Boyle,  and  George  Andresson,  of  New  Utrecht ; John  Ver  Kerk, 
of  Flatbush;  Jacob  Van  Dyck,  and  Evardus  Brower,  of  Brooklyn; 
Abm.  VanTuyle,  Jochim  Van  Ilamen,  Barent  Marelius,  Abm.  Mare- 
lius,  Abm.  Lake,  John  Lake,  Andries  Bouman  and  John  Duriand,  of 
Staten  Island,  with  other  disturbers  unknown,  to  the  number  of  30 
persons,  for  assembling  in  the  latter  part  of  June  last  past,  with  arms, 
& c.,  at  New  Utrecht,  assaulting  and  wounding  Joost  Van  Brunt, so  that 
his  life  was  despaired  of;  also  for  entering  and  breaking  his  close  and 
cutting  down  and  carrying  away  about  30  acres  of  his  corn  growing 
on  the  same.  It  does  not  appear  what  Van  Brunt  had  done  to  of- 
fend these  parties ; but  it  may  have  been  caused  by  a dispute  in  re- 
lation to  the  shad  fisheries. 

From  a receipt  on  the  church  books,  of  October  3,  1724,  of  J.  M. 
Sperling  for  salary,  it  may  be  inferred  that  he  was  at  this  date  school- 
master of  the  town  and  precentor  of  the  church. 

In  these  modern  days,  the  feat  of  persons  crossing  the  East  River 
on  the  ice  occasionally  occurs.  In  1752,  it  was  so  frozen  that  a team 
of  horses  and  sleigh  passed  over. 

In  1760,  the  share  of  the  town  of  the  county  expenses  was  £7 
2 s.  7 T/yd. 

About  this  period,  a watch  was  kept  at  what  was  known  as  the 
Beacon,  located,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  on  the  high  grounds  in 
the  rear  of  Fort  Hamilton,  to  give  notice  of  the  arrival  of  vessels  — 
an  invasion  by  a French  fleet  being  feared. 

From  early  in  May  until  November,  in  1762,  no  rain  fell  on  Long 
Island  — the  most  remarkable  drought  ever  known  in  this  country  — 
which  caused  great  distress. 

February  2,  1786,  the  mercury  was  240  below  zero,  on  Fahrenheit’s 
thermometer. 

Until  the  Revolution,  Dutch  as  well  as  English  was  taught  in  the 
schools. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution,  a large  portion  of  the  travel  from  New 
York  to  Philadelphia  passed  through  Kings  County  to  Yellow  Hook 


. 


■ 


46 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


and  the  Narrows,  thence  by  ferries  to  Staten  Island,  crossing  from 
the  latter  place  to  New  Jersey,  at  the  Blazing  Star,  near  Rossville. 

The  first  clergyman  who  officiated  in  Kings  County  was  the  Rev. 
Theodorus  Polhemius.  The  second — who  officiated  in  all  the  organ- 
ized county  churches — was  the  Rev.  Casparus  Van  Zuuren,  the  Rev. 
Henricus  Selyns  having  been  previously  called  to  officiate  in  Brooklyn 
alone.  Van  Zuuren  organized  a church  in  New  Utrecht,  in  October, 
1677 — two  hundred  years  ago  — ordaining  as  elders  thereof,  Jan 
Gysbertse  and  Myndert  Kcrten,  and  as  deacons,  Arien  Willemse 
(Bennet)  and  Jan  Hansen  (Van  Nostrand). 

The  first  collection  for  the  benefit  of  the  church  in  New  Utrecht, 
of  which  we  have  any  account,  was  made  in  Flatbush  in  1677,  at 
which  16  guilders  — $6.40  — were  received.  The  collection  at  the 
first  preaching  in  New  Utrecht  after  the  organization  of  the  church 
was  27  guil.  and  7 stuyvers. 

The  temporalities  of  the  church  appear  to  have  been  managed  until 
1722  entirely  by  the  deacons ; and  after  that  date  by  churchmasters. 
The  accounts  of  the  one  holding  the  funds  appear  to  have  been  annually 
audited,  and  the  balance  in  his  hands  passed  over  to  his  successor. 

In  1707,  530  guil. — or  $212 — were  paid  for  two  cups  for  the 
communion  service ; which  possibly  may  be  the  old  silver  ones  now 
in  use. 

At  the  organization  of  the  church  by  Do.  Van  Zuuren,  there  were 
27  members,  who  probably  were  received  by  Do.  Polhemius;  and 
during  Van  Zuuren’s  ministry  40  more  were  added.  These  comprised 
more  than  26  families,  of  whose  male  descendants  we  have  at  present 
only  left  Van  Nostrands,  Van  Pelts,  Van  Cleefs,  and  Van  Brunts. 

On  the  organization  of  the  church  by  Do.  Van  Zuuren,  the  follow- 
ing residents  of  the  town  were  communicants,  having  probably  joined 
while  Polhemius  was  in  charge : 

Jan  Hansen  (Van  Nostrand)  and  Marritje,  his  wife. 

Myndert  Kortcn  and  Maria  Praa,  his  wife. 

Daniel  Vorveelen  and  Alida  Schaatz,  his  wife.  Removed  to 
Gravesend. 

Jan  Gysbertsz  (died). 

Wellemje.  Removed  to  Bergen. 

Neeltje. 

Arie  (Adriaen)  Willemsze  Bennet  and  Agnietje  Van  Dyck,  his  wife. 
Removed  to  Brooklyn. 

Jan  Pietersz  Van  Deventer  and  Maria,  his  wife. 

Tryntje  Van  Dyck. 


ANNALS  OF  NEW  UTRECHT, \ 


47 


Gysbert  Tysz  Van  Pelt  and  Jannetje  Adriaans,  his  wife. 
Adriaantje. 

Joost  Du  Wien  and  Magdalena  Du  Wien,  his  wife.  Removed  to 
Newtown. 

Pieter  Veritie.  Removed  to  Staten  Island  and  Bergen. 

Jean  Du  Pre.  Removed  to  Staten  Island  and  Bergen. 

Nicolaas  Du  Pre.  Removed  to  Staten  Island  and  Bergen. 
Lourens  Jansen  and  Aaltje  Gillis  (De  Mandeville),  his  wife. 
Mother  of  Joost  Du  Wien. 

Annetje  Bocquet. 

Magdalena  Van  Pelt. 

The  following  additional  persons  became  members  during  Do.  Van 
Zuuren’s  ministry  : — 

September,  1677.  Adriaantje  Jans  Van  Deventer. 

December,  1677 . — Jan  Van  Clcef. 

“ “ Kryn  Janssen  (Van  Metcren). 

u “ Hans  Harmcnsc  (Van  Earkeloo)  and  Willemtje 

(Waermerse),  his  wife.  Removed  to 
Bergen. 

August,  1680. — Careljansz  Van  Dyck  and  Lysbeth  Aard,  his 

wife. 

January,  1679. — Henderick  Jansz  Van  Dyck  and  Jannetje  Har- 

mans (Van  Barkeloo),  his  wife. 

June,  1678. — Hendrick  Matysen  Smack  and  Grietje  Har- 

mans, his  wife. 

“ “ Tileman  Jacobsz  Vander  Myen  and  Tryntje 

Haggaus  (widow  of  Jan  Thomase  Van 
Dyck). 

March,  1679. — Neeltje  Corteljau. 

Pieter  Janse  Van  Deventer. 

Zwaan,  the  Negro,  and  Christine,  his  wife. 
Garret  Comelissen  ( Van  Duyn)  of  Geele  Hook, 
and  Jaeomina  Jacobs  (Swarts),  his  wife. 
Jan  Kierse  of  Geele  Hook,  and  Hendrikje 
Stephens  (Van  Voorhees),  his  wife. 
Engeltie. 

Lawrens  Juriaans  of  Geele  Hook,  and  Kunisa 
(Pieters)  of  Geele,  his  wife. 

Jan  Jansz  Van  Dyck  and  Tryntje  Tyssen 
Van  Pelt,  his  wife. 

Jean  Clement  (of  Geele,  or  Yellow  Hook). 


July. 


June. 

July.- 


, 


48 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS, 


October,  1681. — Roeief  Jansz  Verkerck  and  Catharine  Simons 
(of  Geele  Hook),  his  wife. 

“ “ Gerret  Stoffelsen  and  Lysbeth  Cornells,  his  wife. 

January,  1682. — Pieter  Hardenbroeck  (of  Geele,  or  Yellow 
Hook). 

December,  " Hendrick  Jansz  and  Gertje  Verkerck,  his  wife. 

“ “ Barendje  Verkerck. 

December,  1682. — Jansz  Vander  Ween  and  Maatje  Comelis,  his 
wife. 

“ “ Comelis  Wynhard  and  Ann,  his  daughter. 

Removed  to  Hackensack. 

March  23,  1685. — Jan  Thysz. 

“ “ Joost  Rutgersz  (Van  Brunt). 

“ “ Comelis  Garretz. 

Of  the  male  descendants  of  these  persons,  we  have  left  among  us 
only  Van  Nostrands,  Van  Pelts,  Van  Cleefs,  and  Van  Brunts — our 
Bennets  not  being  descendants  of  Adriaen  Willemsze. 

At  Flatbush  was  erected  the  first  Reformed  Dutch  church  on  Long 
Island;  commissioners  being  appointed  for  the  purpose  on  the  17th 
of  December,  1654,  and  the  building  finished  in  1660.  The  second 
was  commenced  in  Idatlands,  in  1662  ; the  Director  General  and 
Council  assisting  them,  June  7,  1663,  with  250  guil.,  in  beavers. 
The  third  was  commenced  in  Brooklyn,  in  1666.  The  fourth  in  New 
Utrecht,  in  1700.  The  fifth  in  Jamaica,  in  1701  or  2.  The  sixth  in 
Bushwick,  about  1705.  The  church  in  Gravesend  (as  per  Prime’s 
History  of  Long  Island)  was  commenced  in  1700 — but  personally  I 
have  seen  no  account  of  the  Gravesend  Dutch  church  in  the  ecclesi- 
astical records  earlier  than  1714.  In  1678,  a parsonage  was  built  in 
Flatbush,  for  Van  Zuuren,  at  a cost  of  5,585  guil.,  or  $2,324,  of  which 
New  Utrecht  paid  600  guilders. 

The  surplus  funds  of  the  church  appear  to  have  been  loaned  on 
bonds ; and  for  purposes  of  revenue,  the  early  churches  of  this  county 
appear  to  have  owned  cows,  which  were  let  out  to  individuals,  gen- 
erally at  about  12  guil.,  or  $4.80,  a year.  Fees  for  burial  in  the 
body  of  churches,  in  church-yards,  and  the  use  of  the  pall,  were 
among  the  sources  of  revenue. 

To  supply  the  scarcity  of  religious  books,  on  the  6th  of  March, 
1679,  the  deacons  of  “ Midwoud  ” collected  600  guil. ; of  11  Amers- 
foort,”  300  guil. ; and  of  “ Utrecht  ” 200  guil,  wampum  value  ; and, 
in  addition,  various  sums  contributed  by  private  individuals  ; all  of 
which  was  expended  in  the  importation  from  the  Netherlands,  of 


s 


ANNALS  OF  NEIV  UTRECHT. 


49 


Bibles  (in  folio  and  octavo),  New  Testaments,  Psalm-books,  Prayer- 
books,  Catechisms,  ABC  books,  &c. 

The  first  church  in  New  Utrecht  was  erected  in  1700.  The 
account  of  the  deacons,  on  the  19th  of  October,  1699,  showed  a bal- 
ance in  hand  of  6,426.51.  n st. ; of  December  of  the  same  year,  of 
loans  called  in  and  collections,  3,737  gl. : making  a total  of  10,163 
guil.  On  the  27th  of  January,  1701,  the  balance  in  the  hands  of  the 
deacons  was  2,744  guil.,  showing  a diminution  of  7.419  guil.,  which 
was  most  probably  expended  on  the  new  church.  Persons  were  liv- 
ing a few  years  ago,  and  may  be  yet,  who  recollect  having  seen  the 
figures  1700  cut  in  one  of  the  stones  on  its  front.  There  is  no  ac- 
count left  on  the  church  books  of  the  sums  paid  formatcrials  or  to  in- 
dividuals, or  of  the  total  cost  of  the  building.  On  the  27th  of  January, 
1701,  among  the  disbursements  of  that  month,  on  the  church  books, 
is  an  entry  of  786  guil.,  or  $314.40,  paid  for  a bell — which  I suppose 
is  the  bell  at  present  in  use. 

In  some  of  the  early  churches  the  dram  was  beaten  to  call  the 
congregation  together.  This  was  the  case  — it  may  inferred  — at  one 
period  in  Flatlands;  for  as  late  as  1683  that  church  paid  twelve  guil- 
ders for  two  skins  for  the  drum. 

The  first  church  in  New  Utrecht  was  located  in  the  south-east- 
erly angle  of  the  present  burying-ground  in  the  village.  It  was  of 
octagon  shape,  with  side  walls  of  boulders,  or  field  stone,  and  steep 
shingle  roof,  surmounted  with  a belfry  and  bell  over  its  centre;  the 
building  somewhat  resembling  an  eight-sided  pyramid,  or  sugar-loaf, 
and  ceiled  overhead  in  the  interior  with  boards.  On  the  top  of  the 
belfry  was  an  iron  cross,  surmounted  by  a large  cock,  cr  rooster, 
turning  with  and  facing  the  wind — which  may  have  been  intended 
as  a memento  of  Peter’s  changcablcncss  in  the  denial  of  his  Master. 

The  road,  it  is  said,  at  one  period,  passed  around  the  building  so 
as  to  leave  it  in  the  centre,  the  same  as  was  the  case  of  the  old  church 
in  Brooklyn,  and  others. 

Tradition  says,  that  during  one  of  the  unhappy  controversies  in 
which  the  churches  were  engaged,  the  Consistory,  one  Sunday,  had 
a violent  dispute  at  the  church  door;  and  that  on  the  same  afternoon 
a whirlwind  struck  the  building,  tearing  off  the  belfry  and  a part  of 
the  roof.  This  was  viewed  by  some  as  a judgment  upon  them  for 
their  bickerings. 

In  1705  there  is  an  entry  on  the  church  books  of  “expended  for 
nails  and  plank,  to  repair  the  damages  the  church  received  from  a 
stroke  of  lightning,  375  guil.,  which  may  have  been  the  occasion 

4 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


referred  to  in  the  tradition ; or  it  may  have  been  the  gust  of  wind 
which,  July  Sth,  1798,  blew  off  the  top  of  the  steeple. 

The  building,  when  finished — like  many  of  the  European  churches 
of  the  present  time — had  no  pews,  each  person  desiring  to  sit  sup- 
plying his  own  stool ; and  that,  prior  to  1721,110  particular  place  was 
allotted  to  any  of  its  attendants.  The  pulpit  was  of  the  shape  of  an 
octagon  elongated  half  globe,  or  goblet,  perched  or  elevated  on  the 
top  of  a column  to  a height  much  greater  than  the  modern  ones — of 
sufficient  capacity  for  one  individual — and  canopied  with  a sounding- 
board,  or  cap,  on  the  top  or  apex  of  which  was  a representation  of 
Noah’s  dove  holding  an  olive  branch  in  its  mouth;  which  identical 
dove — covered  with  a new  coat  of  gilt  — I now  hold  in  my  hand, 
and  present  to  your  view,  lacking  the  original  olive  branch,  which, 
on  account  of  its  frailty,  with  the  lapse  of  time  has  disappeared. 

In  the  church,  on  the  left  side  of  the  pulpit  (the  steps  being  on  the' 
right),  hung  two  small  black  bags,  fastened  to  two  long  poles,  and 
used  by  the  deacons  in  making  their  collections  — which  have  also 
long  since  disappeared. 

It  is  said  that  in  consequence  of  mischievous  boys  (in  modem 
days)  dropping  old  buttons  and  worthless  shells  in  the  bags,  to  the 
disgust  of  the  worthy  deacons,  their  use  was  dispensed  with,  and  the 
modern  plate,  and  since  the  introduction  of  rag  currency — the 
basket  substituted.  The  bags  are  yet  used  in  some  localities. 

In  the  early  days  of  our  churches,  the  schoolmaster  was  the  voor- 
zanger,  or  chorister,  lector,  or  reader,  and  hosier,  or  sexton  of  the 
church.  Among  his  other  duties  was  that  of  reading  a chapter  out 
of  the  Bible,  between  the  second  and  third  ringing  of  the  bell,  and 
after  the  third  ringing,  the  Ten  Commandments. 

In  my  youth — some  fifty-odd  years  ago  — your  speaker  recollects 
the  reading  of  the  Ten  Commandments  before  the  service  by  old  Mr. 
Skillman,  the  chorister  of  the  Brooklyn  church ; and  the  same  prac- 
tice may  then  have  been  in  vogue  in  the  other  churches. 

In  1721,  places  were  assigned  for  the  chairs  of  the  worshippers. 
On  each  side  of  the  middle  aisle — on  the  right  and  left  of  the  pul- 
pit— were  places  provided  for  45  women’s  chairs;  and  next  to 
the  women’s  places,  and  nearer  to  the  door,  were  45  chairs  on 
each  side  of  the  middle  aisle,  for  men. 

.The  justices — who  were  the  highest  dignitaries  of  the  community — 
were  honored  with  a bench  on  the  right  of  the  pulpit ; and  a free  bench 
was  also  provided  for  strangers.  A chart  of  the  church,  from  which 
the  above  is  taken,  does  not  show  any  special  location  for  the  elders 


. 

' 


ANNALS  OF  NEW  UTRECHT. 


51 

and  deacons.  A provision  was  made  for  new  comers,  who  were  to  be 
charged  6 guilders  for  each  place. 

It  was  further  ordered,  that  for  every  dead  person  carried  on  the 
bier  and  buried  in  the  church,  should  be  paid  1 2 shillings.  Buried  in 
the  church  without  being  carried  on  the  bier,  6 shillings.  The  interior 
of  the  church  was  considered  to  be  the  most  honorable  place  of 
interment.  This  arrangement  probably  continued  in  force  for  many 
years,  before  pews  were  introduced. 

In  1774,  the  church  was  repaired,  and  new  pews  substituted  for 
the  old  ones.  In  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  which  shortly  followed, 
the  church  was  used  as  a hospital  and  riding  school,  by  the  British,  and 
the  interior  fixtures  removed.  After  the  war  the  church  was  renova- 
ted and  new  pews  made,  at  a cost  of  ^£'529  m.  nd. 

The  church  of  New  Utrecht,  in  1700,  or  thereabouts,  appears  to 
have  owned  the  site  it  occupied,  with  the  surrounding  burying-ground, 
and  an  adjoining  large  plot  containing  an  orchard,  in  addition.  It 
afterwards  owned  the  ground  it  at  present  occupies,  with  about  30 
acres  of  adjoining  land.  These  premises  the  church  parted  with,  a 
portion  for  the  establishment  of  an  academy — which  finally  proved  to 
be  a failure — and  afterwards,  for  a site  for  the  present  church  edifice, 
the  Consistory  repurchased  the  plot  now  occupied.  On  the  division  of 
the  common  lands,  in  1719,  two  wood  lots  were  allotted  to  the  church, 
which  were  afterwards,  in  1746,  sold.  The  present  parsonage  and 
adjoining  land,  which  has  been  sold,  was  purchased  of  John  Blake, 
about  the  period  of  the  call  of  the  Rev.  John  Beatty  to  the  pastorate  of 
the  church,  and  is  the  first  and  only  premises  used  by  the  congregation 
for  said  purposes. 

In  182^,  the  old  church  was  torn  down.  In  August  of  the  same 
year,  the  present  church  edifice  was  commenced,  and  finished  in  De- 
cember, 1829. 

Had  I time,  many  additional  items  of  interest  might  be  set  forth ; 
but  that  allotted  to  me  having  expired,  I will  close  by  stating  that  the 
reputation  of  the  departed  and  present  residents  of  this  town  is  as  fair  as 
those  of  their  neighbors ; and  that  among  them  have  been  divines, 
jurists,  legislators,  physicians,  and  citizens,  who  will  compare  favor- 
ably with  any  they  can  boast  of. 

And  further,  in  the  language  of  the  fatherland,  I will  state,  dat 
alhcewcl  in  bevolking  ende  vermoorheid , zay  ben  nict  gelyk  onze  inoedcr 
Utrecht  in  Holland , ende  mischicn  nooit  zuil ; nog  het  is  onze  pligt  to 
gebndk  de  derfgd,  ende  Jiavolgcn  de  vaderlandsch-gezuidheid  van  onze 
vaders , zoo  a Is  to  onderhouden  hier  na1  als  en  voorige  tyden , de  goede 
naam  van  onze  plaatsclyk. 


. 


■ 


' 


_ 


LIST  OF'  ELDERS  AND  DEACONS 


IN  THE 

Protestant  Reformed  Dutch  Church 

Of  New  Utrecht,  L.  I. 


The  Church  Boohs  show  a perfect  list  from  1789;  previous  to  which 
an  imperfect  list  has  been  formed  from  names  gathered  from  loose 
papers  and  irregular  entries , c re. 

T.  G.  BERGEN. 


ELDERS. 


Jan  Gysbertsz 

1677,  8 

Myndcrt  Korten 

1677,  8 

Daniel  Verveelen 

1678,  9 

Jan  Hansen  (Van  Noostrand) 

1 6 78,  So 

Arian  Willemsz  (Bennet) 

16S0,  1 

Myndert  Korten 

1681,  2 

Gerret  Cornelissen  (Van  Duyn)  16S2,  3 
Jan  Hansen  (Van  Noostrand)  16S3,  4 
Kryn  Janssen  Van  Metercn  1684 

Jan  Jansz  Van  Dyck  16S4,  5 

Jan  Hansen  (Van  Noostrand)  1685 

Gysbrecht  Thysz  (Lanen  Van  Pelt)  “ 
Gysbrecht  Thysz  (Lanen  Van  Pelt)  1695 
Corel  Van  Dyck  “ 


1701 


DEACONS. 


Arian 'Williemsz  (Bonnet)  1677 

Jan  Hansen  (Van  Noostrand)  1677,  8 
Hans  Harmensz  (Van  Borkelo)  167S,  9 
Jan  Pietcrsz  Van  Deventer  1679,  80 
Jan  Jansz  Van  Dyck  16S0,  1 

Kryn  Janssen  Van  Meteren  16S1,  2 
Hans  Harmensz  (Van  Borkelo)  “ “ 

Jan  Van  Deventer  “ “ 

Hendrick  Van  Dyck  16S2 

Gysbrecht  Thysz  Lanen  (Van  Pelt)  16S3 
Jan  Pietersz  Van  Deventer  16S4,  5 
Jan  Van  Deventer  10S7 

Gerret  Cornelissen  (Van  Duyn)  16S9 
Derick  Janse  Van  Sutphen  1694 

Joost  Van  Brunt  1695 

Cornelis  Van  Brunt  1695 

Jaques  Cortelyou  1696 

Peter  Van  Deventer  1697 

Joost  Van  Brunt  169S 

Denys  Tuenessen  1702 


Jan  Van  Dyck 


54 


APPENDIX. 


ELDEKS.  DEACONS. 


Jaques  Cortelyou 

1701,  2 

Joost  Van  Brunt  1706,  1710 

Aurt  Van  Pelt  1707 

Albert  Coerten  (Van  Voorhees)  “ 

Jacobus  Auckes  (Van  Nuyse)  1710 

Hendrick  Jansen  1 71 1 

Jan  Van  Dyck,  Jun.  “ 

Anthony  Van  Pelt  1711,  12 

Johannes  Swart  1713 

Jacob  Van  Zutvin  “ 

Willem  Van  der  Ryp  1715 

Cornells  Van  Erunt 

I7I5»  16 

Tomas  Fardon 

44 

Pieter  Cortelyou 
Jacob  Van  Zutvin 

1715 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt 

3716 

Cornelis  Van  Brunt 

1717 

Wyllem  Van  Nuys 

1717,  1 8 

Jacob  Van  Zutvin 

a 

Tomas  Fardon 

44  44 

Johannes  Swart 

171s 

Coort  Van  Voorhies 

1717 

Joost  Van  Erunt 

171S,  19 

Willem  Van  der  Ryp 

171S,  19 

Jaques  Cortelyou 

((  C 6 

Sami.  Groenendyck 

1718,  19,  20 

Albert  Coertcn  (Van  Voorhies)  “ “ 

Rutgert  Van  Erunt* 

1 720,  2 1 

Scgcr  Gcrretse 

1719,  20,  21 

Hendrick  llcndrickse 

1720 

Wyllem  Van  Nuys 

U 44  (4 

Rutgert  Van  Erunt 

1721 

Cornelis  Van  Erunt 

44  44  44 

Cocrt  Albertse  (Van  Voorhies)  1721,  22 

Joost  Van  Erunt* 

1720,  21,  22 

Ilendrik  Suydain 

1721 

Jan  Van  Dyck 
Jaques  Cortelyou 
Wyllem  Van  Nuys 

et  a a 

1722 

a 

Aucke  Van  Nuys 

1722,  23 

Albert  Coertcn  ( Yran 

Voorhies)  1722,  3 

Jan  Van  Tclt 

1724,  25 

Hendrick  1 1 endrickse  1 723 

Samuel  Groencndyck  1724,5 

Nicolaes  Van  Brunt 

44  44 

Albert  Coertcn  (Van 

Voorhies)  1 724 

James  Spencer 

1725,  6 

Cornelis  Van  Erunt 

1724,  5,  6 

Machiel  Van  der  Veer 

44  44 

Pieter  Cortelyou 

5 

Willem  Fardon 

1726 

Andries  Einans 

1725,  6,  7 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt 

1727 

Rutgert  Van  Erunt 

1726,  7,  S 

Jan  Van  Pelt 

1728,  9 

Wyllem  Van  Nuys 
Sami.  Groenendyck 
Cornelis  Van  Erunt 

44  44  44 

172S,  9,  30 
I729.  30»  31 

Machiel  Van  der  Veer 

1729 

/ 

Pieter  Corteylou 

1730 

Gerret  Van  Duyn 

1732,  3 

Willem  Fardon 

*733 

Nicolaes  Van  Erunt 

T733>  4>  5 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt 

1 733»  4,  5.  6,  7,  8 

Jan  Van  Pelt 

I733>  4 

Albert  Coerten  (Van 

Voorhies)  1733,  4, 
5*  6,  7,  8 

Cristoffel  Hoogland 

1734,  5 

Sami.  Groenendyck 

*733>  4>  5 

Machiel  Van  der  Veer 

1 735,  6 

Cornelis  Van  Brunt 

1 735»  6 

Harmancs  Barkcloo 

44  44 

Jan  Van  Pelt 

1 735>  6, 7 

Gerret  Van  Duyn 

1737,  8 

•There  \v$r$  fcyvq  Rutgert  Van  Brunts,  at  times  both  Elders  and  Deacons  in  the  same  year. 


APPENDIX. 


55 


ELDERS.  DEACONS.  * 


Joost  Van  Brunt 

I73s>  9 

Tomas  Van  Dyck 

1737,  8 

Wyllem  Van  Nuys 

44  ii 

Cristofi'el  Hoogland 

*4  4 4 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt  1740, 

i»  2,  4.  5*  6 

Nicolacs  Van  Brunt 

i739>  40 

Albert  Coerten  (Van  Voorhies)  1741 

Myndcrt  Janse 

1741,  2 

Wyllem  Van  Nuys 

1742,  3 

Tomas  Van  Dyck 

1740,  1 

Jan  Van  Pelt 

1742 

Hendrik  Suydam 

1740 

Albert  Coerten  (Van  Voorhies)  1743 

Gerret  Van  Duyn 

1741,  2 

Gcrrct  Van  Duyn 

1744,  5 

Joris  Lott 

1742,  3 

Nicalues  Couwenhoven 

1744 

Tomas  Van  Dyck 

*743>  4>  5 

Wilhclmus  Van  Brunt 

“ 

Nicolacs  Van  Brunt  * 

“ “ “ 

Hendrick  Janse 

1746 

Joris  Lott 

I74b,  7 

Rutgcrt  Van  Brunt 

1746,  7,  8,  9 

Andries  limans 

44  44 

Gerret  Van  Duyn 

I74b,  7 

Jacobes  Van  Nuys 

44  44 

Rutgcrt  Van  Brunt 

1752 

Tomas  Van  Dyck 

*747>  8 

Hendrick  Janse 

“ 

Harmanes  Barkcloo 

174S 

Tomas  Van  Dyck 

1 75  7»  8 

Jacobes  Van  Nuys 

1758 

Evert  Suydam 

1758,  9 

Wyllem  Van  Nuys 

1760,  1 

Jan  Jansen 

1759,  60 

Gerret  Van  Duyn 

1760,  1,  2 

Garret  Couwenhoven 

44  44 

John  Johnson 

1761,  2 

William  Van  Brunt 

1760,  I,  2,  3 

Jacobes  Van  Nuys 

44  44  44  44 

Joris  Lott 

1762 

Adriaen  Van  Brunt 

1763.  4,  5 

Jacques  Denyse 

I7b3’  4 

Stephen  Lott 

1765 

Albert  Van  Brunt 

I7b4,  5 

Wilhclmus  Van  Nuys 

1766,  7,  S,  9 

Jaqucs  Denyse 

1 7-7,  8.  9 

Adriaen  Van  Brunt  1 

766,  7,  8,  70,  71 

John  Barre 

*7b9»  70 

Peter  Van  Dcr  Bilt 

1770,  i 

Isaac  Cortelyou 

1771,  2,  3,  4 

Casper  Crapscr 

1772,  3 

Nicholas  Couwenhoven 

44  44 

/ 

Peter  Muerenbildt 

1 773*  4 

John  Bonnet 

1774,  5 

Isaac  Cortelyou 

44  44 

John  Barre 

*774*  5>  6 

» 

Peter  Van  Pelt 

1775 

Nicholas  Couwenhoven 

i77b,  7 

Harmon  Cropsy 

1775.  b,  7 

John  Johnson 

“ “ 

Peter  Van  Dor  Bilt 

1776,  1781,  2 

Casper  Crapser 

1777 

Garret  Couwenhoven 

1781,  2 

Isaac  Cortelyou 

44  ii 

Harmon  Cropsy 

1781,  2 

John  Bennet 

44  44 

William  Cropsy 

1782 

Peter  Muerenbildt 

44 

APPENDIX. 


& 


ELDERS.  DEACONS. 


Nicholas  Couwenhoven 

17S9 

John  Bennet 

17S9 

Denyse  Dcnyse 

“ 

John  Verkerk  Van  Nuys 

Simon  Cortclyou 

tt 

William  Barre 

it 

Peter  Van  Der  Bilt 

a 

Tunis  Suydam 

it 

Adrian  Hegcman 

1792 

Isaac  Cortelyou 

1792 

Johannes  Cowenhoven 

44 

William  Van  Nuys 

“ 

Fornant  J ohnson 

“ 

Jechobas  Bennet 

it 

Abraham  Duryee 

“ 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt  (son 

of  Albert)  “ 

William  Barre 

1795 

Peter  Van  Pelt 

1795 

William  Cropsy 

it 

Engelbert  Lott 

it 

Adrian  Hageman 

1/95- 6 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt 

>795.6 

Tunis  Suydam 

1795 

Jacobus  Van  Nuys 

44  4 4 

Abraliam  Duryee 

>796»  7 

Rutgert  A*.  Van  Brunt 

1796,  7 

Fornant  Johnson 

1796 

William  Van  Nuys 

1796 

Peter  Van  Der  Bilt 

1797,  s 

William  W.  Van  Nuys 

>797 

Ram  Van  Pelt 

a a 

Thomas  Hegcman 

>797.  3 

Denyse  Denyse 

1798,  9 

Jacobus  Cropsy 

179S 

Jechobas  Bennet 

1798 

Nicholas  Van  Brunt 

>798,  9 

Peter  Van  Pelt 

179S 

Aurt  Van  Pelt 

1799,  iSco 

Engelbert  Lott 

1799,  1800 

Johannes  Cowenhoven 

“ “ 

Jacques  I.  Denyse 

it  it 

Simon  Cortelyou 

1800,  1 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt 

1800 

John  B_nnet 

1800 

Jacobus  Van  Nuys 

iSco,  1 

Wm.  Barre 

1801,  2 

Rutgert  A.  Van  Brunt 

1801,  2 

John  Verkerk  Van  Nuys 

“ “ 

Wineant  Bennet 

44  44 

Adrian  Hageman 

1802,  3 

Han  nanus  Bennet 

1802,  3 

Tunis  Suydam 

it  it 

Peter  Van  Pelt 

“ “ 

Abraham  Duryee 

ro 

O 

CO 

John  Bennet,  Jun. 

1803,  4 

Ram  Van  Pelt 

a a 

Thomas  Hegcman 

44  44 

Fornant  Johnson 

1804,  5 

Jacobus  Van  Nuys 

1 804,  5 

William  Cropsy 

“ “ 

Jacques  I.  Denyse 

44  44 

Aurt  Van  Pelt 

1805,  6 

Engelbert  Lott 

1805,  6 

Jechobas  Bennet 

44  a 

Jacobus  Cropsy 

44  44 

Simon  Cortclyou 

1806,  7 

Rutgert  A.  Van  Brunt 

1S06,  7 

Johannes  Cowenhoven 

a a 

George  A.  Duryee 

44  44 

Wm.  Barre 

1807 

Denyse  I.  Denyse 

1807 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt 

a 

Valentine  Cropsy 

44 

Simon  Cortclyou 

*1809 

Valentine  Cropsy 

1809 

Johannes  Cowenhoven 

<( 

Tcunis  T.  Bergen 

✓ «« 

Jaques  I.  Denyse 

1809, 10 

Thomas  liegeman 

1809,  10 

Abraham  Duryee 

1810, 11 

Albert  Van  Brunt 

1810 

Wm.  W.  Van  Nuys 

it  a 

Albert  I.  Van  Brunt 

1S10,  11 

Peter  S.  Cortclyou 

44  44 

Engelbert  Lott 

1811, 12 

Andrew  Emmans 

1811,  12 

Jacobus  Cropsy 

a a 

Jaques  Van  Brunt 

l8ll 

Valentine  Cropsy 

1812,  13 

Christopher  Bennet,  Jun. 

1812 

No  record  of  a new  Consistory  having  been  ordained  in  iGo9. 


APPENDIX . 


57 


ELDERS.  DEACONS. 


Teunis  Suydam 

1812,  13 

Thomas  Turnbull 
Harmanus  H.  Barkuloo 

1812,  13 

44  44 

Winant  Bennet 

1813,  14 

Tliomas  Smith 

1813,  14 

Tliomas  liegeman 

44  ii 

Henry  Cropsy 

44  44 

Simon  Cortclyou 

1814,  15 

John  R.  Sncdcker 

1814,  15 

Ram  Van  Pelt 

ii  ii 

Jacobus  Denyse 

1S15 

Wm.  Ear  re 

1815,  16 

Albert  Van  Brunt 

1815,  16 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt 

ii  ii 

John  Bennet 

44  44 

Johannes  Cowenhoven 

1816,  17 

Garret  Cowenhoven 

1816,  17 

Jaques  I.  Denyse 

ii  ii 

Peter  S.  Cortclyou 

44  44 

Aurt  Van  Pelt 

CO 

00 

Albert  I.  Van  Brunt 

1817,  18 

Jacobus  Cropsy 

ii  ii 

Jacob  Van  Pelt 

“ “ 

Valentine  Cropsy 

1818,  19 

Simon  Cortclyou,  Jun. 

1S18,  19 

Denyse  I.  Denyse 

a a 

Thomas  Turnbull 

44  44 

Winant  Bennet 

1819,  20 

John  L.  LcfTerts 

1819,  20 

Engelbert  Lott 

a a 

Jacobus  Denyse 

44  44 

Simon  Cortelyou 

1820,  1 

Garret  Cowenhoven 

1820,  1 

Tunis  Suydam 

<<  u 

William  Bennet 

44  44 

Thomas  Smith 

1821,  2 

John  Bennet 

1821,  2 

Albert  I.  Van  Brunt 

a a 

James  Cropsey 

44  44 

Valentine  Cropsy 

1822,  3 

Simon  Cortelyou,  Jun. 

1822, 3 

Johannes  C(>wenlioven 

ii  a 

Tliomas  Turnbull 

44  44 

Aurt  Van  Pelt 

1823,  4 

James  Cropsey 

1823,  4 

Rutgert  Van  Brunt 

44  44 

James  D.  Denyse 

44  44 

William  Bennet 

1824,  5 

James  Denyse 

1824,  5 

Garret  Cowenhoven 

44  44 

John  E.  Lott 

44  44 

John  Carpenter 

<4  44 

Winant  Bennet 

1825,  6 

Evert  Suydam 

1825,  6 

Engelbert  Lott 

44  44 

Andrew  Emmans 

44  44 

Tunis  Suydam 

1826,  7 

Garret  I.  Cowenhoven 

1826,  7 

William  Bennet 

1826,  7 

Jacob  Van  Pelt 

1826,  7 

Gilbert  Smith 

1827,  8 

Jonathan  B.  Horton 

1827,  8 

Thomas  Hcgeman 

ti  44 

William  W.  Cropsey 

44  44 

Aurt  Van  Pelt 

182S 

Garret  I.  Cowenhoven 

1828 

Garret  Cowenhoven 

1829,  30 

James  Cropsey 

182S,  29,  30,  31 

Thomas  Turnbull 

1829,  30,  31 

Evert  Suydam 

1829,  30,  31 

Wm.  Bennet 

44  44  44 

John  E.  Lott 

1829,  30 

Winant  Bennet 

1829,  30 

Bernardus  Hendrickson 

1S30,  31 

Engelbert  Lott 

1831 

John  Carpenter 

" 1831,  2 

Denyse  I.  Denyse 
Andrew  Emmans 

1831,  2 
1832 

Lambert  Suydam 

Wm.  Bennet 

•83:.  3 

Adrian  Bergen 

. i83-.  3 

Garret  Cowenhoven 

44  44 

Jacob  Beckman 

“ “ 

Thomas  Turnbull 

1833,  4 

John  E.  Lott 

1833,  4 

James  Cropsey 

44  44 

John  Hageman 

44  44 

Winant  Bennet 

1834,  5 

Lambert  Suydam 

1834 

Evert  Suydam 

ii  44 

Adrian  Bergen 

1834,  5 

Garret  Cowenhoven. 

1835. 6 

William  Barkeloo 

1835,  6 

Jacob  Beekmaa 

1835 

Wm.  W.  Cropsey 

(4  44 

■ 


APPENDIX. 


58 


ELDERS. 


John  E.  Lott 

1836,  7 

Denyse  I.  Denyse 

1836 

Wm.  Bcnnet 

1836,  7 

Thomas  Turnbull 

CO 

•■O 

CO 

John  Carpenter 

44  44 

James  Cropsey 

1838,  9 

Wm.  Barkeloo 

ii  44 

Garret  Cowenhoven 

1839 

John  Carpenter 

1839,  40 

John  E.  Lott 

1840,  41 

Evert  Suydam 

<<  a 

Wm.  Bcnnet 

a a 

Thomas  Turnbull 

1841,  2 

John  L.  Van  Pelt 

184  2,3 

John  E.  Lott 

1842 

Winant  I.  Bcnnet 

1842,  3 

Win.  G.  Verity 

1843, 4 

Wm.  Barkeloo 

1844,  5 

Adrian  Bergen 

1S44 

James  Cropsey 

1844.  5 

John  Carpenter 

1845,  6 

John  E.  Lott 

44  44 

Wm.  Barkeloo 

1846,  7 

Charles  Lott 

44  44 

Adrian  Bergen 

1847,  8 

Adrian  T.  liegeman 

44  44 

Wm.  G.  Verity 

1848,  9 

George  Pool 

44  44 

Wm.  Barkeloo 

1849,  50 

John  E.  Lott 

44  44 

James  Cropsey 

1850,  1 

Charles  Lott 

44  44 

Wm.  Barkeloo 

N 

►H 

«-0 

00 

Evert  Suydam 

1851 

John  Carpenter 

1852,  3,  4 

John  L.  Van  Pelt 

1852,  3 

Adrian  Bergen 

44  44 

George  Pool 

1853,  4 

James  Cropsey 

1854,  5 

Wm.  G.  Verity 

a a 

Jeremiah  E.  Lott 

1855, 6 

Charles  Lott 

44  44 

John  L.  Van  Pelt 

1856, 7 

Wm.  Barkeloo 

44  44 

John  E.  Lott 

1857,  8 

Tcunis  Bergen 

1857,8 

Win.  G.  Verity 

1858,  9 

DEACONS. 


William  G.  Verity 

1835,  6 

Jacob  Bennet 

1836 

Christopher  C.  Bennet 

1837,  s 

Garret  W.  Cropsey 

44  44 

Wm.  W.  Cropsey 

1837 

Wm.  Barkeloo 

44 

John  L.  Van  Pelt 

1838,  9 

Adrian  T.  Hegeman 

44  44 

Winant  I.  Bennet 

1839,  40 

Jeremiah  E.  Lott 

44  44 

Wm.  G.  Verity 

1840,  41 

Adrian  Bergen 

44  44 

Garret  W.  Cropsey 

1841,  2 

John  J.  Bcnnet 

44  44 

Adrian  T.  Hegeman 

1842,  3 

Charles  Lott 

44  44 

George  Pool 

1843,  4 

Jeremiah  E.  Lott 

44  44 

Teunis  Bergen 

1844,  5 

William  Stoothoff 

“ “ 

John  C.  Bennet 

1845,  6 

Richard  Ran 

“ “ 

George  Pool 

1846,  7 

Peter  Rougct 

44  44 

Jaques  Bragaw 

1847,  8 

Jeremiah  E.  Lott 

44  44 

John  J.  Bennet 

1848,  9 

Jacobus  I.  Voorhees 

“ “ 

Tcunis  Bergen 

1849,  50 

Garret  W.  Cropsey 

“ “ 

Jacob  Hendricksen 

1850,  1 

Richard  Ran 

44  44 

Jeremiah  E.  Lott 

1851,  2 

John  Bragaw 

44  44 

Jacobus  I.  Voorhees 

1S52,  3 

Jaques  Bragaw 

44  44 

John  J.  Bennet 

.1853,  4 

Teunis  Bergen 

44  44 

Garret  W.  Cropsey 

1854,  5 

Richard  Ran  ^ 

44  44 

Robert  Waters 

1855,  6 

John  V.  N.  Bergen 

44  44 

Christopher  Prince 

1856,  7 

Aaron  Lott 

44  44 

Robert  Waters 

1857,  8 

Jaques  Van  Brunt . 

1857,  8 

Cornelius  Cozine 

1857,  8 

j)Jl  vo  fo 


■